Sam Langford

[Hawkins]

This is particularly directed to LondonRingRules.

Are there any books that you would recommend on Sam Langford? The only one I know about that includes him is the Black Dynamite book written by Nat Flesicher in the 20's.

From reading your posts I am supremely interested in learning more.

[LondonRingRules]

This is particularly directed to LondonRingRules.

Are there any books that you would recommend on Sam Langford? The only one I know about that includes him is the Black Dynamite book written by Nat Flesicher in the 20's.

From reading your posts I am supremely interested in learning more.

** I had heard of the legend of Langford, but really didn't know much since none of my friends into boxing and no internet. Everything I've learned has been through mostly the internet and going to the trouble of breaking down his career into it's natural components.

Like many I dismissed claims to greatness by his losses, but everytime I found myself on boxrec looking at his record and putting together a timeline of his era, it became painfully obvious that Sam was the MAN from around 1906-1918, and that the losses were just the scars from what could easily be claimed to be the most outstanding career in boxing. Tiny little black boy grows up at the turn of the century to fight all over the world and send the most fearsome fighters of his era scattering like so much chaff in the wind.

Harry Wills beat him more than anyone, but all at the end of Sam's prime, yet half blind Sam still knocked him out a couple of times in the middle of Wills hiding Sam good. Wills and Jeannette both considered Sam the best heavy of his era, a significant endorsement of respect from his few peers.

There's a new 100 heavyweights book that has a good section on Sam, and Bob Mee's Boxing has 150+ great fighters listed with Sam of course. Surely there must be a few Sam specific publications, but sadly many boxing classics end up in the land fill. I'm always on the prowl at the local 2nd hand store, but it's hard to know what they put on the shelf and what they throw away.

[-CANE-]

Hawkins and LRR - If you check the link that's just been posted up on my heavyweight thread you might find a lot of info on when and who he fought which you might find interesting. I copied and pasted some bits from his site and Henry (hhascup) has just posted the link up so everyone can visit it. You won't find anything regarding the man himself and his private life though.

[Hawkins]

Hawkins and LRR - If you check the link that's just been posted up on my heavyweight thread you might find a lot of info on when and who he fought which you might find interesting. I copied and pasted some bits from his site and Henry (hhascup) has just posted the link up so everyone can visit it. You won't find anything regarding the man himself and his private life though.

Thanks man, I'm gonna have a look.

** I had heard of the legend of Langford, but really didn't know much since none of my friends into boxing and no internet. Everything I've learned has been through mostly the internet and going to the trouble of breaking down his career into it's natural components.

Like many I dismissed claims to greatness by his losses, but everytime I found myself on boxrec looking at his record and putting together a timeline of his era, it became painfully obvious that Sam was the MAN from around 1906-1918, and that the losses were just the scars from what could easily be claimed to be the most outstanding career in boxing. Tiny little black boy grows up at the turn of the century to fight all over the world and send the most fearsome fighters of his era scattering like so much chaff in the wind.

Harry Wills beat him more than anyone, but all at the end of Sam's prime, yet half blind Sam still knocked him out a couple of times in the middle of Wills hiding Sam good. Wills and Jeannette both considered Sam the best heavy of his era, a significant endorsement of respect from his few peers.

There's a new 100 heavyweights book that has a good section on Sam, and Bob Mee's Boxing has 150+ great fighters listed with Sam of course. Surely there must be a few Sam specific publications, but sadly many boxing classics end up in the land fill. I'm always on the prowl at the local 2nd hand store, but it's hard to know what they put on the shelf and what they throw away.

Well after I had seen your posts I started looking around to see what I could find. And what little I have found has been kind of eye opening...ducked by everyone that was anyone during his time. Dominated 3 weightclasses and was still knocking people out when he was 3/4 blind. Unreal.

I had always heard of Sam, but had never put much energy into studying him or his career. When I get home I'm going to start going thru my old boxing magazines (from the 30's, 40's and 50's) and see if I can find anything.

[SABBATH]

Hawk,

Spare yourself the musings of LRR. He knows very little of Langford or much else.

Check out this site.

http://www.blackpast.org/?q=contributor/moyle-clay

Clay Moyle is a respected member of IBRO and is putting together a Langford bio.

[Hawkins]

Check out this site.

http://www.blackpast.org/?q=contributor/moyle-clay

Clay Moyle is a respected member of IBRO and is putting together a Langford bio.

Thanks for the link.

[LondonRingRules]

Clay Moyle is a respected member of IBRO

** Oh, you mean the respected IBRO that ranked Tyson 13th while you fill your shorts trying to big up some hack who claims Tyson was nothing?

Yeah, well, get Oz Sr's minders to go take care of that little mess for you Junior. We've already had our laugh.

[SABBATH]

** Oh, you mean the respected IBRO that ranked Tyson 13th while you fill your shorts trying to big up some hack who claims Tyson was nothing?

Keep talkin Maricon, and show us some more inbred Texas ignorance.

By the way several IBRO members contribute and run the CBZ the same ones that banned you for your ridiculous uneducated views.

Check out how highly Sugar Ray Leonard is rated by IBRO.

That's if you're capable of reading while playing the banjo.

[SABBATH]

Hawk, here is a newspaper account of the Jack Johnson-Sam Langford fight which dispels some myths.

[Hawkins]

Thanks Sabbath! That was a good little read!