How did Sam Langford..

.. gain over 60 pounds throughout his career and still be in good shape?

The earliest recorded weight of his that I could find was that he weighed in at 140 when he fought Joe Gans in 1903 (he was around 20, at the time). In 1916, he weighed in at around 200 pounds (he was around 33).

How is it possible for a man to gain over 60 pounds, throughout his career, and still be in top boxing form?

[McGrain]

Well Langford wasn't in form at 200, he was out of shape. I believe he was in shape at around 180. So he's gained around 35lbs in his career, less than Roy Jones (still in fighting shape at HW), around the same as Duran (in good shape at 160), slightly more than Mickey Walker. Not that extraordinary given he started boxing as a teen. What is extraordinary are the ATG's he continued to reap as he stepped up.

[Popkins]

Originally Posted by McGrain

Well Langford wasn't in form at 200, he was out of shape. I believe he was in shape at around 180. So he's gained around 35lbs in his career, less than Roy Jones (still in fighting shape at HW), around the same as Duran (in good shape at 160), slightly more than Mickey Walker. Not that extraordinary given he started boxing as a teen. What is extraordinary are the ATG's he continued to reap as he stepped up.

Considering the times Langford lived in, the differences in science, training, nutrition, etc etc, I'm sure you'll agree his weight-jumping was sensationally astounding though. Beating Gans and Tiger Flowers in the same career is just mind-boggling.

[Sweet Pea]

He was a teenager when he started out, so he still had a lot of filling out to do. Same with a guy like Pacquiao today. Pac wasn't a natural Flyweight as he's made out to be by his nut-hugging fans, he was just a young kid who'd yet to grow into his body. All the same, Langford wasn't a natural Light or Welterweight, he was just a young kid, growing up the hard way.

[McGrain]

Originally Posted by Popkins

Considering the times Langford lived in, the differences in science, training, nutrition, etc etc, I'm sure you'll agree his weight-jumping was sensationally astounding though.

Well Mickey Walker did something very similar boxing betweeen 140 and 175. Moore came a bit later but boxed between 160 and 200.

[Popkins]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

He was a teenager when he started out, so he still had a lot of filling out to do. Same with a guy like Pacquiao today. Pac wasn't a natural Flyweight as he's made out to be by his nut-hugging fans, he was just a young kid who'd yet to grow into his body. All the same, Langford wasn't a natural Light or Welterweight, he was just a young kid, growing up the hard way.

Credit to both men that they were able to compete at world title level before they reached physical maturity (obviously more to Langford because I think Gans was a slightly better lightweight than Sasakul was a flyweight! )

[Popkins]

Originally Posted by McGrain

Well Mickey Walker did something very similar boxing betweeen 140 and 175. Moore came a bit later but boxed between 160 and 200.

Hence why all three men are in most peoples' top 15 p4p of all-time (I have Walker in my top 10).

[McGrain]

Originally Posted by Popkins

Hence why all three men are in most peoples' top 15 p4p of all-time (I have Walker in my top 10).

Success at multiple weights is always going to be a factor in such lists, no doubt.

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

He was a teenager when he started out, so he still had a lot of filling out to do. Same with a guy like Pacquiao today. Pac wasn't a natural Flyweight as he's made out to be by his nut-hugging fans, he was just a young kid who'd yet to grow into his body. All the same, Langford wasn't a natural Light or Welterweight, he was just a young kid, growing up the hard way.

Teenager? He was like 20.

But even so, I just don't understand how someone can do it so naturally. Especially at a time like that.

[Hookie]

Originally Posted by boxerca

.. gain over 60 pounds throughout his career and still be in good shape?

The earliest recorded weight of his that I could find was that he weighed in at 140 when he fought Joe Gans in 1903 (he was around 20, at the time). In 1916, he weighed in at around 200 pounds (he was around 33).

How is it possible for a man to gain over 60 pounds, throughout his career, and still be in top boxing form?

It's not like he was ripped at 200Lbs. James Toney fought well from 160- way over 200Lbs. Or maybe Langford was on HGH!!!???

[China_hand_Joe]

160-225 is less of a jump than 140-190

[GPater11093]

Originally Posted by boxerca

Teenager? He was like 20.

But even so, I just don't understand how someone can do it so naturally. Especially at a time like that.

well 20 is just 1 year more than 19

[Hookie]

Originally Posted by China_hand_Joe

160-225 is less of a jump than 140-190

140-190Lbs. is a about a 35% jump.

160-225. is about a 40% jump.

So, what were you saying?

[Hookie]

Anyway, where are we going with this?

Langford did well from WW-HW... what's the point? Out with it damnit!!! lol

[Frazier Hook]

Originally Posted by boxerca

.. gain over 60 pounds throughout his career and still be in good shape?

The earliest recorded weight of his that I could find was that he weighed in at 140 when he fought Joe Gans in 1903 (he was around 20, at the time). In 1916, he weighed in at around 200 pounds (he was around 33).

How is it possible for a man to gain over 60 pounds, throughout his career, and still be in top boxing form?

No Langford was 17 and Gans was 29.....Langford would of won the Lightweight title but didnt due to coming in at 136lb just a pound over the limt.