Thread: SAMMY LANGFORD - AN ALL TIME GREAT !!

A few people mentioned not knowing much about him, so I thought I do a little Bio. A lot of people on here probably know a lot more than me , but here's some info based on what I have seen, heard and read over the years. There is actually footage in circulation of Langford.

Throughout his career he generally weighed between 160 and 195 pounds, but actually fought as light as Featherweight.

He is almost certainly the greatest fighter to win a World title, due to being ducked by anyone with sense and of course being black. Even the likes of Dempsey and Johnson didn't want to know. He did lose to Johnson by 15 round decision early in his career, but Johnson saw enough to avoid a rematch. Langford was giving away about 30 pounds (he was barely more than a Middleweight) and Johnson was peak, whereas Langford was at least 6 years short of his!

Less than two years after turning pro, he dropped, beat and out boxed World Lightweight champ Joe Gans over 15 rounds, but of course this was a non title bout!

He did actually get the chance to fight for a World Title on one occasion against Welterweight champ Joe Walcott, but was denied the win by reputed suspect judging and only got a draw. Walcott was, at the time the Greatest Welterweight of all time

He was rumoured to carry white fighters because he was promised title shots by promoters if he did so. His 'No Contest' against great Middleweight champ Stanley Ketchel was believed to believed to be on of those fights.

Style wise, he was (when not carrying fighters) fast paced throwing combos and bombs right from the opening bell. He was very fast and slick with an excellent jab. He was a master of ducking and leaning to avoid being hit and used his arms and shoulders to block punches with real success.

He had eye trouble as early as 1917, but fought on for another 9 years. He eventually went completely blind, but I believe that was due to an accident and not solely boxing??

Probably at his best around 1911-1917 – Jack Dempsey admitted many years later that even on his best night he didn't think he would've beaten Langford and hence avoiding him. He claimed that Langford was the greatest of all time!

He never got that fight or the fight against the racist bigot JessWillard, who he would imo, also have beaten convincingly.


His victims include, Joe Walcott (officially a draw), Joe Gans, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Stanley Ketchel (officially a NC), Sam McVea, Gunboat Smith, Harry Wills and many more great fighters of the day!

Basically, it's a case of what could've been because he was avoided and never got the chance to win a World Title.

If given a chance he would almost certainly have won every belt from Lightweight up to Heavy.

Most of the stuff I learned about Langford I learned from this article. But... Regardless of what Ring magazine says I IMHO wouldn't really consider him as a heavyweight, at least not a "modern day" heavyweight. Certainly Langford's stature against heavyweights did not go unnoticed.

Originally Posted by fbear

Most of the stuff I learned about Langford I learned from this article. But... Regardless of what Ring magazine says I IMHO wouldn't really consider him as a heavyweight, at least not a "modern day" heavyweight. Certainly Langford's stature against heavyweights did not go unnoticed.Â

Very true mate - would've got mudered by the "Super" Heavyweights of today (well maybe not today, but you know what I mean )

I never realised Sammy didn't become a worldc hampion, reminds me of Herol Graham except Langford never really got the oppurtunities. i coolclick ya in the mailbox

Originally Posted by BIG H

A few people mentioned not knowing much about him, so I thought I do a little Bio. A lot of people on here probably know a lot more than me , but here’s some info based on what I have seen, heard and read over the years. There is actually footage in circulation of Langford.Â

Throughout his career he generally weighed between 160 and 195 pounds, but actually fought as light as Featherweight.Â

He is almost certainly the greatest fighter to win a World title, due to being ducked by anyone with sense and of course being black. Even the likes of Dempsey and Johnson didn’t want to know. He did lose to Johnson by 15 round decision early in his career, but Johnson saw enough to avoid a rematch. Langford was giving away about 30 pounds (he was barely more than a Middleweight) and Johnson was peak, whereas Langford was at least 6 years short of his!

Less than two years after turning pro, he dropped, beat and out boxed World Lightweight champ Joe Gans over 15 rounds, but of course this was a non title bout!

He did actually get the chance to fight for a World Title on one occasion against Welterweight champ Joe Walcott, but was denied the win by reputed suspect judging and only got a draw. Walcott was, at the time the Greatest Welterweight of all time

He was rumoured to carry white fighters because he was promised title shots by promoters if he did so. His ‘No Contest’ against great Middleweight champ Stanley Ketchel was believed to believed to be on of those fights.

Style wise, he was (when not carrying fighters) fast paced throwing combos and bombs right from the opening bell. He was very fast and slick with an excellent jab. He was a master of ducking and leaning to avoid being hit and used his arms and shoulders to block punches with real success.

He had eye trouble as early as 1917, but fought on for another 9 years. He eventually went completely blind, but I believe that was due to an accident and not solely boxing??

Probably at his best around 1911-1917 – Jack Dempsey admitted many years later that even on his best night he didn’t think he would’ve beaten Langford and hence avoiding him. He claimed that Langford was the greatest of all time!Â

He never got that fight or the fight against the racist bigot JessWillard, who he would imo, also have beaten convincingly.Â


His victims include, Joe Walcott (officially a draw), Joe Gans, Philadelphia Jack O’Brien, Stanley Ketchel (officially a NC), Sam McVea, Gunboat Smith, Harry Wills and many more great fighters of the day!

Basically, it’s a case of what could’ve been because he was avoided and never got the chance to win a World Title.Â

If given a chance he would almost certainly have won every belt from Lightweight up to Heavy.

, interesting stuff, how much film is there of him fighting?

Cheers mate - Click back

Not sure how much footage, I saw a small clip a few years back, don't know who he was fighting though.

If Langford had faced Gans in a title bout he wouldn't have won Having watched Gans before I think he would ahve beat Langford and Sam became a Heavyweight Champ(although not a world heavyweight Champ) And IMO Jack Johnson would have KO'd him.

Yea Langford is definetly an ATG.. Apparently he used to go very soft on alot of his early opponents in hopes that he could get rematches with them.. Because there were so few people that wanted to fight him. Also he has over 100 "Newspaper decision" fights that dont count on a pro record, but he was officially
182-34-34 with 130 Knockouts, perhaps one of the highest total KO records and percentages Im not really sure..
anyways here is his record.. http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=011023
Alot of those losses and draws throughout his career were probably pretty suspect..
Also look how many times he faces the same opponents, apparently he was just so feared by title holders and many big name fighters.. Also I know he retired dirt poor, blind and was found years later living on the streets as an old man. Then a fund was created for him and he received enough contributions to live on until he died.. Pretty sad case of a fighter really.

great read, BIG H

Cheers fella ("Can't repeat Karma") but CC in spirit

Originally Posted by •°¤*(¯`°~Starr~°´¯)* ¤Ã‚°â€¢

If Langford had faced Gans in a title bout he wouldn't have won  Having watched Gans before I think he would ahve beat Langford and Sam became a Heavyweight Champ(although not a world heavyweight Champ) And IMO Jack Johnson would have KO'd him.

I think Dempsey would give him all he could handle too

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Originally Posted by •°¤*(¯`°~Starr~°´¯)* ¤Ã‚°â€¢

If Langford had faced Gans in a title bout he wouldn't have won Having watched Gans before I think he would ahve beat Langford and Sam became a Heavyweight Champ(although not a world heavyweight Champ) And IMO Jack Johnson would have KO'd him.

I think Dempsey would give him all he could handle too

Langford outboxed a prime Joe Gans... Whether you think Gans could have done better doesnt really matter.. He was an absolutely amazing fighter as well and Im not sure he had ever been beaten before Langford did.. Also Langford did fight Johnson as a young fighter and was KDed twice but some say it was very competitive, im sure you know that though.

Originally Posted by p4pking

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Originally Posted by •°¤*(¯`°~Starr~°´¯)* ¤Ã‚°â€¢

If Langford had faced Gans in a title bout he wouldn't have won  Having watched Gans before I think he would ahve beat Langford and Sam became a Heavyweight Champ(although not a world heavyweight Champ) And IMO Jack Johnson would have KO'd him.

I think Dempsey would give him all he could handle too

Langford outboxed a prime Joe Gans... Whether you think Gans could have done better doesnt really matter.. He was an absolutely amazing fighter as well and Im not sure he had ever been beaten before Langford did.. Also Langford did fight Johnson as a young fighter and was KDed twice but some say it was very competitive, im sure you know that though.

And Langford only weight 156 at the time according to Boxrec!!

yea hes one of teh sadder storys in boxing taht show boxings sad side cause he died blind and poor in a nursing home in the 50's ...