Sam Langford: freak of nature who could beat the big men in any era

[SuzieQ49]

Sam Langford was a great heavyweight. He was a freak of nature for his size(they only come along a couple times every 50 years, he was one of em) and you only had to look at his frame to realize why he could hit so hard he could knock 250lb strong men flat on their backs. I Think sam Langford throughout his career proved he defintley could take on the more skilled bigger heavyweights of all time. He showed he could knockout very skilled big heavyweights(wills) and beat hard punching big heavyweights(mcvea, godfrey) and he proved he could sustain damage without getting knocked out by a big ATG heavyweight champion(johnson). Not to mention big heavyweights like Big Bill Tate, Sandy Furgesson, Bearcat Wright, Klondike Haines, Battling Jim Johnson who all suffered multiple losses to langford.

Seriousely I think langford would flatten a guy like wladimir Klitschko

[Manassa]

Ah, the legendary Sandy Ferguson.

[SuzieQ49]

i just used him as an example. i never said he was "good".

however sam mcvea, george godfrey, harry wills, jack johnson were good fighters

[Manassa]

Janitor says Ferguson was good. Sad thing is, he actually believes it, he's not even messing around.

[SuzieQ49]

:spliff

[Maxmomer]

It's hard to believe he went from welterweight all the way to 180 and remained effective at any weight he fought in. A Pound for Pound great without question.

[zivic1941]

Sam Langford was a great heavyweight. He was a freak of nature for his size(they only come along a couple times every 50 years, he was one of em) and you only had to look at his frame to realize why he could hit so hard he could knock 250lb strong men flat on their backs. I Think sam Langford throughout his career proved he defintley could take on the more skilled bigger heavyweights of all time. He showed he could knockout very skilled big heavyweights(wills) and beat hard punching big heavyweights(mcvea, godfrey) and he proved he could sustain damage without getting knocked out by a big ATG heavyweight champion(johnson). Not to mention big heavyweights like Big Bill Tate, Sandy Furgesson, Bearcat Wright, Klondike Haines, Battling Jim Johnson who all suffered multiple losses to langford.

Seriousely I think langford would flatten a guy like wladimir Klitschko

As far as uncrowned champs go, he's probably #1 ahead of Burley.

It's a shame he lost to Johnson, and never got a rematch. I think Langford as heavyweight champ would've helped in the acceptance of black fighters to championship status much more seamlessly. Johnson set it back ....way back.

[McGrain]

He's the true phenom. Klit would probably bang him out though.

[Mendoza]

Langford's legacy has been lost among Joe average boxing fans because he never had a chance to fight for the lineal heavyweight title.

I agree with SuzieQ49. Langford was a once in a generation type of fighter. He was an attack dog type of fighter with good power, good skills, remarkable durability, excellent stamina, and a rare heart for boxing. Though Sam only stood about 5'7", he had the frame to properly carry over 180 pounds, and arm span of a man who was over 6 feet tall. Langford had the build of an NFL running back.

I'm not sure if Langford if I would pick Langford to defeat, Wlad, but he certainly could. Later in his career, Langford had enough to knock out two other larger sized hall of fame heavyweights. He basically split with Wills until old age and many wars took their toll on Langford. Langford capped modern sized heavyweight George Godfrey twice inside of two rounds.

Towards the end of his career, Langford vision badly deteriated, yet despite the handicap he still won some significant matches.

[Titan1]

How would Sam do against the great Joe Louis?

[teeto]

I think that Langford is probably the best uncrowned champ ever , but I have Bivins at 2 and Burley number 3 . I still think Louis would beat Langford though

[teeto]

Also , Peerless Jim Driscoll was one of the greatest to never win a title

[mcvey]

Langford's legacy has been lost among Joe average boxing fans because he never had a chance to fight for the lineal heavyweight title.

I agree with SuzieQ49. Langford was a once in a generation type of fighter. He was an attack dog type of fighter with good power, good skills, remarkable durability, excellent stamina, and a rare heart for boxing. Though Sam only stood about 5'7", he had the frame to properly carry over 180 pounds, and arm span of a man who was over 6 feet tall. Langford had the build of an NFL running back.

I'm not sure if Langford if I would pick Langford to defeat, Wlad, but he certainly could. Later in his career, Langford had enough to knock out two other larger sized hall of fame heavyweights. He basically split with Wills until old age and many wars took their toll on Langford. Langford capped modern sized heavyweight George Godfrey twice inside of two rounds.

Towards the end of his career, Langford vision badly deteriated, yet despite the handicap he still won some significant matches.
Langford had a 44in chest ,which for a man 5 7 is pretty big! Huge wingspan ,shoulders like mountains ,he could take a man out with either hand ,Johnson was fortuanate to get him while he was still maturing ,and of course he had a considerable weight advantage over him,I think Langford was inside the middle limit for that fight ,whereas Johnson was about 182 .Langford proved he could handle the big men ,beating Wills ,and Godfrey,as well as top fighters like Mcvey.He may well be the best fighter ,never to win a crown.

[janitor]

Janitor says Ferguson was good. Sad thing is, he actually believes it, he's not even messing around.

Yes I do as perhaps the only person here who has researched him.

He was esentially the Oleg Maskaev of his era. His career was a model of mismanagment and he always found ways to make the situation worse. He had genuine talent and was seen in some parts of the media as the heir aparent to Jeffries title.

He had a gambling problem and lax training habits at times. His financial problems forced him to take multiple back to back fights with the black dynamite crew which ultimately knocked him out of title contention.

He was however the only white contender who fought the black dynamite crew or got anywhere with them in the ring.

[janitor]

How would Sam do against the great Joe Louis?

He would have a good chance.

Against any fighter in any weight class.

That is how good he was.

[doublesuited]

Langford was a midget...

Sure he might have power against those weak heavyweights of his era, but put him against the likes of Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis, or Wladimir Klitschko and they'll pound him from 5 feet tall down to 3 feet tall.

[janitor]

Langford was a midget...

Sure he might have power against those weak heavyweights of his era, but put him against the likes of Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis, or Wladimir Klitschko and they'll pound him from 5 feet tall down to 3 feet tall.

They wernt big enough.

[doublesuited]

Langford was so short that he could've played catcher for the Red Sox without having to kneel down.

[janitor]

Langford was so short that he could've played catcher for the Red Sox without having to kneel down.

It seems to have worked for him.

[joe33]

5ft 6??????,oh come on guys he would be in a lot of trouble by most bigger men,and no way he gets near wlads chin.

[janitor]

5ft 6??????,oh come on guys he would be in a lot of trouble by most bigger men,and no way he gets near wlads chin.

Yes he was 5' 6'' but lets look at the whole story.

He had a 42" chest and 18" neck. His tale of the tape was huge. Physicaly, he was a Mike Tyson squashed down to 5' 6''.

Obviously he was a bit of a physical freak who was 5' 6'' but could bang with the best heavyweights ever.

[Sonny's jab]

Sam Langford was one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, IMO.

He'd stand a good chance against anyone.

[janitor]

Sam Langford was one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, IMO.

He'd stand a good chance against anyone.

Put it this way.

If you managed any heavyweight in history you would steer them wellclear of Sam Langford.

They would have to force the issue themselves.

[Sonny's jab]

Put it this way.

If you managed any heavyweight in history you would steer them wellclear of Sam Langford.

They would have to force the issue themselves.

I agree.
Langford was a terror.
It's widely acknowledged that he agreed to take it easy on many of those fighters he was matched with, and if you count his KOs his record still reads like that of a genuine KO artist, which he was, a one-punch terror, and clever, and ridiculously tough and durable with it.

[janitor]

I agree.
Langford was a terror.
It's widely acknowledged that he agreed to take it easy on many of those fighters he was matched with, and if you count his KOs his record still reads like that of a genuine KO artist, which he was, a one-punch terror, and clever, and ridiculously tough and durable with it.

Advice to any promotors from any era who might want to match their men against ole, Sam:

Just dont go there!!!!!

[Big N Bad]

5ft 6??????,oh come on guys he would be in a lot of trouble by most bigger men,and no way he gets near wlads chin. how long have you been into boxing? didnt you know that langford sparked big bill tate who weight 226 pounds and was 6'6 1/2? it took him 5 rounds too!

i've been into boxing/fighting for a while and i know height means fuck all unless your below 5ft. im 6'0, i can beat alot of big guys, i have trouble with some, same with smaller guys, the height means fuck all.

langford was build almost exactly like a gorilla, exact same height, very long arms, freakishly strong, could take a shot, could knock anyone out, and he could fight.
langford was avoided like a plague back then.

5'6 qawi vs foreman
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

only if qawi had power like a langford then maybe foreman would have been advertising his grills from the sole of his boots.:happy

[werety]

I'm sorry but I just can't see how he would beat big modern heavyweights. He was definitely great for what he did but from all the film I see Langford just seems to lead with his chin. With his durabiliity this could work well with people who are as small as him but against huge moder heavyweights, no way.

[doublesuited]

how long have you been into boxing? didnt you know that langford sparked big bill tate who weight 226 pounds and was 6'6 1/2? it took him 5 rounds too!

i've been into boxing/fighting for a while and i know height means fuck all unless your below 5ft. im 6'0, i can beat alot of big guys, i have trouble with some, same with smaller guys, the height means fuck all.

langford was build almost exactly like a gorilla, exact same height, very long arms, freakishly strong, could take a shot, could knock anyone out, and he could fight.
langford was avoided like a plague back then.

5'6 qawi vs foreman
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

only if qawi had power like a langford then maybe foreman would have been advertising his grills from the sole of his boots.:happyNo way in hell was Qawi 5'6". And Big Bill Tate sucked.

[mr. magoo]

Langford was definately an exceptional fighter and probably stands in a category by himself. He is hands down without question, the best man to never win a lineal heavyweight title. As far as how he'd do against modern giants, I can't say for sure. I will say this however, he certainly could have reigned in a lot of different divisions, if not at heavyweight.

[joe33]

how long have you been into boxing? didnt you know that langford sparked big bill tate who weight 226 pounds and was 6'6 1/2? it took him 5 rounds too!

i've been into boxing/fighting for a while and i know height means fuck all unless your below 5ft. im 6'0, i can beat alot of big guys, i have trouble with some, same with smaller guys, the height means fuck all.

langford was build almost exactly like a gorilla, exact same height, very long arms, freakishly strong, could take a shot, could knock anyone out, and he could fight.
langford was avoided like a plague back then.

5'6 qawi vs foreman
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

only if qawi had power like a langford then maybe foreman would have been advertising his grills from the sole of his boots.:happy

Bullshit height means fuck all,look at when tua tried to beat lewis,he hardly got near him,thats what i meant,how would he beat wlad,he would never get past his jabs,he would be fucked up trying to come in to range,and big bill tate was a awful fighter,come on man,no way a 5ft 6 man beats any of the modern giants

[China_hand_Joe]

I like Sam.

He is the proof of how bad the ancient eras were.

[Sonny's jab]

No way in hell was Qawi 5'6". And Big Bill Tate sucked.

Qawi is always listed as 5'6 or 5'7 and he looks at least 8 inches shorter than Foreman there, the top of his head is around Foreman's chin height.

Langford is listed variously as 5'6, 5'7 and 5'8 (on cyber boxing zone)

[Bummy Davis]

Sam Langford was a great heavyweight. He was a freak of nature for his size(they only come along a couple times every 50 years, he was one of em) and you only had to look at his frame to realize why he could hit so hard he could knock 250lb strong men flat on their backs. I Think sam Langford throughout his career proved he defintley could take on the more skilled bigger heavyweights of all time. He showed he could knockout very skilled big heavyweights(wills) and beat hard punching big heavyweights(mcvea, godfrey) and he proved he could sustain damage without getting knocked out by a big ATG heavyweight champion(johnson). Not to mention big heavyweights like Big Bill Tate, Sandy Furgesson, Bearcat Wright, Klondike Haines, Battling Jim Johnson who all suffered multiple losses to langford.

Seriousely I think langford would flatten a guy like wladimir Klitschko

Sam was very capable and beat a lot of big guys, he was a solid guy and you can see that he stood up vs some hard hitters like Stanly Ketchel as well as the best black heavys of the time. Fortunatly he did not have to meet a heavyweight puncher like Vlad Klitschko because there is a difference in power punchers from a Klitschko and a Harry Wills. I thinka 5"7 178lb Langford was better than a 5"9 230lb James Toney but I think Sam would be at a serious disadvantage vs Lennox Lewis,Vitali or Vlad, even Tyson or Evander but I would not sell Sam SHORT, he was still dangerous

[Asterion]

Big Bill Tate sucked.

[Sweet Pea]

He's the true phenom. Klit would probably bang him out though.Yeah, not to shit on the thread or anything, but if we're being honest, at HW, he gets handled by a guy like Wlad.

[McGrain]

Yeah, not to shit on the thread or anything, but if we're being honest, at HW, he gets handled by a guy like Wlad.

But Langford has a chance, and Wlad probably wouldn't enjoy himself very much.

[McGrain]

I think that Langford might be the best fighter there every was. He's kind of like a Roy Jones in that he has these extraordinary physical advantages, the difference being he has an extraordinary chin. Possibly the best ever.

[Sonny's jab]

I dont want to speculate too much on Langford Vs. Wlad Klitschko, BUT ... I haven't been particularly impressed by Wlad so far. Sure, he's big and powerful, and he can box a bit, but I've seen him lose to far lesser guys than Langford, quite badly.And most of the guys he beat offered little resistance, none of them were real terrors or even particularly awkward.

Langford at his peak was one of the greatest heavtweight boxer/punchers ever - testimony of people who saw him made comparisons later with JOE LOUIS and JACK DEMPSEY. His opposition may not have been amazing always either, but his record and his reputation stands up well against any fighter in history. He's a bona fide legend.
So you have to take his chances seriously.
Obviously Wlad has a size advantage and he's good - probably the best in the world as of now - so his chances are good too.

[Seamus]

But Langford has a chance, and Wlad probably wouldn't enjoy himself very much.

Not really. It would be stopped inside two.

All moving picture evidence reveals Sam had a rather non-existant defence.

[McGrain]

Not really. It would be stopped inside two.

All moving picture evidence reveals Sam had a rather non-existant defence.

How do you rate Wills as a puncher?

[werety]

exactly what im saying, he has an iron chin but he leads with it and i just cant see that working against someone as big strong skilled and powerful as wlad

[McGrain]

exactly what im saying, he has an iron chin but he leads with it and i just cant see that working against someone as big strong skilled and powerful as wlad

How do you rate Wills as a puncher?

[Seamus]

How do you rate Wills as a puncher?

Average but effective.

[Sonny's jab]

All moving picture evidence reveals Sam had a rather non-existant defence.

There's hardly any moving picture evidence to go on, it's rare and it's not particularly clear. How many Langford fights have you seen ?
(Bear in mind that he had about 300!)

I've seen shadowy and brief highlights of only two Langford fights.

Guys who knew Langford, saw him fight up close dozens of times, they all thought he had defensive skills, which he must have done to build that record and reputation in that many fights.

[McGrain]

Average but effective.

"Average"? :huh

Sort of like Danny WIlliams? OK.

[Seamus]

"Average"? :huh

Sort of like Danny WIlliams? OK.

Yes, average for a champion calibre fighter. Really, his record reveals no more than that. He apparently was quite good at holding and hitting, though, if you count that as power. He was known more for his quickness, excellent jab and body punching.

[rekcutnevets]

Someone recently posted a link to some footage of Langord. Do you want to konw what I think? OF COURSE YOU DO. Why else would you come here?

Langford looks a little like a James Toney that has confidence in his power. Maybe that means he hit harder than James. However, I don't think he beats the big men of any era. I take that back. I don't think he beats the Big Man of just any era, but he may very well be able to succeed against some heavyweights.

[Seamus]

I rate Sam in the top ten of my pound for pound ever. In that, I certainly take in to consideration the era in which he fought. If he were to try that approach versus 70's-00's middleweights, let alone heavyweights, he would get his ass kicked 8 out of 10 times.

Frankly, head to head, I would pick Bob Foster, Nino Benvenuti, Mike Spinx, Carlos Monzon, Marvin Hagler, Gerald McClellan, Joe Calzaghe and Roy Jones, Jr. to whip him. But for his time, within the context of the development of the sport, he was a great among greats. Perhaps if he were born and groomed in the modern era, his talents would have been further honed but that is sheer speculation.