So why did Langford lose...

Russell · 08-01-2007, 08:22 AM

Against Wills so many times?

Bad styles match-up, massive size difference, a lot of shorter fights near the end of their series...

What was it?

ChrisPontius · 08-01-2007, 08:37 AM

First of all, Wills was a damn good fighter. If Dempsey didn't duck him, he might have been known as one of the better champions in history.
Second, as you pointed out, there was a big size difference.
And third, Langford had been in a lot of fights, had an eye problem and was past his best.

FlatNose · 08-01-2007, 09:56 AM

Don't forget too, that Langford was not really a natural Heavyweight., and Wills was a full sized (especially for that time) big guy.

Russell · 08-01-2007, 10:33 AM

Bah, sorry for the horrible spelling. It was early in the morning and I got some wired crossed.

The first few times they fought, it wasn't that far into Langford's career, was it?

And Dempsey was going to fight Wills, wasn't he? Wasn't Dempseys choice the fight didn't go through?

McGrain · 08-01-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

And Dempsey was going to fight Wills, wasn't he? Wasn't Dempseys choice the fight didn't go through?

That is such an interesting one. Dempsey was up for that fight, there can be little doubt of that, but although contracts were signed, I think that was more about press and leverage than actually seeing the fight through. Contractually it was so easy to walk away from that it was basically meaningless.

Dempsey would hav shown had the fight been made for serious money and I think he would have won.

However, Wills offer to fight Dempsey "on any street corner" was a serious one, I feel.

Wills was a great fighter. Possibly the best heavy not to lift the title...there are plenty of other guys from that sort of era who dispute that mind. Anyway, point is, no shame in a middleweight losing to a fighter like that.

Russell · 08-01-2007, 10:51 AM

Yeah, I agree.

They fought like, nearly a dozen times though. Langford won a few, but I guess I just imagined he would of won more, seeing as what a great he is and what not.

Marciano Frazier · 08-01-2007, 01:26 PM

Because, A. Langford was over the hill for most of their fights, and B. Wills was a top-notch fighter in his own right.

achillesthegreat · 08-01-2007, 02:31 PM

Wills was a great big fighter and at his best. Langford was a great small fighter and at the end of his run.

I think the consensus is Wills was unlucky, he didn't get the Dempsey fight and he came about the end of a great era. On paper Langford should be rated highly, in turn Wills should be rated pretty highly too. Say top30.

janitor · 08-01-2007, 03:51 PM

Also it is a moot point how many fights Langford lost.

He definitely won two (knockouts)

He probably lost six

The rest are a bit ambiguous.

Russell · 08-01-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janitor

Also it is a moot point how many fights Langford lost.

He definitely won two (knockouts)

He probably lost six

The rest are a bit ambiguous.

Why don't the fights Langford lost mean anything...?

janitor · 08-01-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

Why don't the fights Langford lost mean anything...?

They do.

The series was however prety even for the first five bouts with the only knockout wins coming to Langford.

Beyond that Wills was arguably putting the stamp on Langford's decline.

Russell · 08-01-2007, 05:58 PM

Ah, okay. Gotcha.

Cojimar 1945 · 08-01-2007, 07:02 PM

The deterioration that comes with aging would appear to have something to do with it.

08-01-2007, 08:22 AM	#1
Russell Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 12,164 vCash: 75	So why did Langford lose... Against Wills so many times? Bad styles match-up, massive size difference, a lot of shorter fights near the end of their series... What was it?
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08-01-2007, 08:37 AM	#2
ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 East Side VIP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Holland Posts: 11,749 vCash: 238	Re: So why did Langford lost... First of all, Wills was a damn good fighter. If Dempsey didn't duck him, he might have been known as one of the better champions in history. Second, as you pointed out, there was a big size difference. And third, Langford had been in a lot of fights, had an eye problem and was past his best.
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08-01-2007, 09:56 AM	#3
FlatNose Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,494 vCash: 1000	Re: So why did Langford lost... Don't forget too, that Langford was not really a natural Heavyweight., and Wills was a full sized (especially for that time) big guy.
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08-01-2007, 10:33 AM	#4
Russell Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 12,164 vCash: 75	Re: So why did Langford lost... Bah, sorry for the horrible spelling. It was early in the morning and I got some wired crossed. The first few times they fought, it wasn't that far into Langford's career, was it? And Dempsey was going to fight Wills, wasn't he? Wasn't Dempseys choice the fight didn't go through?
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08-01-2007, 10:51 AM	#6
Russell Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 12,164 vCash: 75	Re: So why did Langford lost... Yeah, I agree. They fought like, nearly a dozen times though. Langford won a few, but I guess I just imagined he would of won more, seeing as what a great he is and what not.
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08-01-2007, 01:26 PM	#7
Marciano Frazier Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,482 vCash: 1000	Re: So why did Langford lost... Because, A. Langford was over the hill for most of their fights, and B. Wills was a top-notch fighter in his own right.
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08-01-2007, 02:31 PM	#8
achillesthegreat FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE East Side VIP Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 18,203 vCash: 1000	Re: So why did Langford lost... Wills was a great big fighter and at his best. Langford was a great small fighter and at the end of his run. I think the consensus is Wills was unlucky, he didn't get the Dempsey fight and he came about the end of a great era. On paper Langford should be rated highly, in turn Wills should be rated pretty highly too. Say top30.
Top

08-01-2007, 03:51 PM	#9
janitor P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 19,047 vCash: 1000	Re: So why did Langford lost... Also it is a moot point how many fights Langford lost. He definitely won two (knockouts) He probably lost six The rest are a bit ambiguous.
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08-01-2007, 05:58 PM	#12
Russell Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 12,164 vCash: 75	Re: So why did Langford lose... Ah, okay. Gotcha.
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08-01-2007, 07:02 PM	#13
Cojimar 1945 Journeyman ESB Jr Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 185 vCash: 1000	Re: So why did Langford lose... The deterioration that comes with aging would appear to have something to do with it.
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