Was Wills better than McVea, Jeannette or Langford?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mattdonnellon, Nov 28, 2012.


Page 3 of 7
  1. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

    25,632
    9,669
    Jul 15, 2008
    With all respect, has anyone else even heard of this film popping up or seen it ? If so , How does one get the chance to do so ? Again, Wills was laready old and Firpo was clearly not in the physical shape he was for Dempsey ( looking quite soft at the weigh in photo) but it would still be one hell of an interesting find ..again I ask, how does one get an opportunity to view this ?
     
    he grant, Dec 1, 2012
    he grant, Dec 1, 2012
    #31
  2. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,636
    1,909
    Dec 2, 2006
    Like everybody else I'd love to see that Wills-Firpo film.
    Back to the question I posed I feel Langford the better fighter of the two based on overall career but also on his wins over Harry when I think it is reasonable to feel that both were near eneough peak to credit the fights. Sam was often out of shape in these days and only got it to-gether for the bigger fights and his 14 round KO contest with Wills seems to have been one mighty clash. I accept that even in those years 1914-16'ish Harry was winning as many if not more than Sam but Langford seemed to pull out the big one and from reports used his craft, power and especially his superior bottle to offset Harry's superior physical assets, youth, considerable boxing skills and dare I say it, his dirtier tactics.
    McVey is the one that interests me, I feel he edged Jeannette in their series and he scored two early wins v's Wills who did come to dominate a fading McVey later(and sooner?) but Sam's career stands up two.
    He was fighting superior opponents right from the start of his career, and not just superior to Harry's early opponents but perhaps any other heavyweight in history. He did OK with the other Sam, got the better of the then formidable Ed Martin and acquitted himself well against a peak Johnson. He rarely lost to any but the best and I think he stands as a match for Wills, only the strengh of Langford and Johnson stopped him been a champion.
     
    mattdonnellon, Dec 1, 2012
    mattdonnellon, Dec 1, 2012
    #32
  3. Lord Tywin

    Lord Tywin Guest

    No, Im not writing a book on Greb. That is Steve Compton, who I trade boxing films with.


    Here is Wills landing that jab.
    This content is protected


    Here is Firpo reeling across the ring from the jab.
    This content is protected


    Here is Firpo down from a combo right uppercut, right hand over the top.
    This content is protected
     
    Lord Tywin, Dec 1, 2012
    Lord Tywin, Dec 1, 2012
    #33
  4. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

    82,092
    22,177
    Sep 15, 2009
    Gold dust.

    The top coloured contender beating the top white contender whilst the champ in recess is over in Hollywood.
     
    lufcrazy, Dec 1, 2012
    lufcrazy, Dec 1, 2012
    #34
  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    113,369
    48,741
    Mar 21, 2007
    Lovely
     
    McGrain, Dec 1, 2012
    McGrain, Dec 1, 2012
    #35
  6. Lord Tywin

    Lord Tywin Guest

    This content is protected

    This content is protected

    This content is protected

    This content is protected

    This content is protected
     
    Lord Tywin, Dec 1, 2012
    Lord Tywin, Dec 1, 2012
    #36
  7. Nightcrawler

    Nightcrawler Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,432
    32
    Dec 18, 2011

    Thank you sir! You are a great edition to this forum that i love so much
     
    Nightcrawler, Dec 1, 2012
    Nightcrawler, Dec 1, 2012
    #37
  8. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

    25,632
    9,669
    Jul 15, 2008
    Fabulous photos ... again I ask, how does one se this film ? Any shot of posting it on Youtube ? When Mendoza turned me on to the Langford/Jeanette footage we immediately agreed to post it for all to see ...

    Thoughts ?
     
    he grant, Dec 1, 2012
    he grant, Dec 1, 2012
    #38
  9. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,666
    27,382
    Feb 15, 2006
    Even iron will break eventualy, and my jaw isn't iron.

    It wouldn't do to take too many of those!

    Sam Langford
     
    janitor, Dec 1, 2012
    janitor, Dec 1, 2012
    #39
  10. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    42,723
    271
    Jul 22, 2004
    Beautiful thanks for the pix :good Any chance of a youtube upload?
     
    PowerPuncher, Dec 2, 2012
    PowerPuncher, Dec 2, 2012
    #40
  11. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

    82,092
    22,177
    Sep 15, 2009
    Seeing that on youtube would be heroic.
     
    lufcrazy, Dec 2, 2012
    lufcrazy, Dec 2, 2012
    #41
  12. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

    55,255
    10,355
    Jun 29, 2007

    Papers say Wills was a good clincher and body puncher. Flooring Fripo once is nice, but Firpo never had good balance. Dempsey floored Firpo 7 times in round one, and hurt him, which judging by the decision is something Wills did not do. This make me think Wills power wasn't on Dempsey's level.

    It seems like every once in a while a film most of us thought was lost resurfaces. I'd love to see this one!
     
    Mendoza, Dec 2, 2012
    Mendoza, Dec 2, 2012
    #42
  13. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    113,369
    48,741
    Mar 21, 2007
    Anyone who thinks that Wills had Dempsey on powers level to begin with isn't paying attention.

    On this kind of remedial level, I hope you're taking into account that Firpo didn't nearly KTFO Dempsey, would have beaten him under modern rules and showed the type of defence and boxing skill that made it absolutely clear that Firpo was not on his level - something Dempsey wasn't able to do.
     
    McGrain, Dec 2, 2012
    McGrain, Dec 2, 2012
    #43
  14. Lord Tywin

    Lord Tywin Guest

    Wills fought a different fight than Dempsey.
     
    Lord Tywin, Dec 2, 2012
    Lord Tywin, Dec 2, 2012
    #44
  15. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

    55,255
    10,355
    Jun 29, 2007


    I think I understand which direction you are headed in, but can you elaborate a bit more on the " something Dempsey wasn't able to do " portion?
     
    Mendoza, Dec 3, 2012
    Mendoza, Dec 3, 2012
    #45
Page 3 of 7