Sam Langford: Going from Lightweight to Heavyweight: An Underrated Feat?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by jas, Feb 28, 2014.


  1. jas

    jas ★ Legends: B-HOP ; PAC ★ Full Member

    16,150
    12
    Jan 14, 2011
    He fought half-blind towards the end of his career too and was ducked by Jack Dempsey and Jack Johnson at Heavyweight.

    In his autobiography, Dempsey wrote, “There was one man . . . I wouldn’t fight because I knew he would flatten me. I was afraid of Sam Langford.”

    This guy deserves credit. Going from Lightweight to Heavyweight and he was only 5 foot 6 inches tall.
     
    jas, Feb 28, 2014
    jas, Feb 28, 2014
    #1
  2. I Know Everythi

    I Know Everythi Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,100
    26
    Feb 12, 2014
    People don't know him that well but he is at the very very least top 10 p4p all time.
     
    I Know Everythi, Feb 28, 2014
    I Know Everythi, Feb 28, 2014
    #2
  3. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

    71,990
    27,991
    Feb 15, 2006
    Nah, he was obviously roiding!
     
    janitor, Feb 28, 2014
    janitor, Feb 28, 2014
    #3
  4. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    66,060
    53,383
    Feb 11, 2005
    He's at very least top 4 in my book… and that's a safe way of he means #2 behind Greb for me with Ray Robinson and Bob Fitzsimmons and Hank Armstrong and Benny Leonard being in the conversation.
     
    Seamus, Feb 28, 2014
    Seamus, Feb 28, 2014
    #4
  5. stevo1966

    stevo1966 Member Full Member

    234
    1
    Dec 10, 2013
    Yes it was, especially when he fought top LW's, WW's etc... up to Heavy and was avoided by so many at the bigger weights.
     
    stevo1966, Mar 1, 2014
    stevo1966, Mar 1, 2014
    #5
  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    114,775
    51,763
    Mar 21, 2007
    McGrain, Mar 1, 2014
    McGrain, Mar 1, 2014
    #6
  7. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

    25,834
    10,040
    Jul 15, 2008
    He's my number one all time pound for pound .. the other top guys are Charles, Robinson, Greb and Fitz ...
     
    he grant, Mar 1, 2014
    he grant, Mar 1, 2014
    #7
  8. WhyYouLittle

    WhyYouLittle Stand Still Full Member

    1,372
    22
    Jul 13, 2012
    I just don't get it when people say the guy was just some crude slugger. He picks punches like the fights were choreographed or something. And the counters... man.
     
    WhyYouLittle, Mar 1, 2014
    WhyYouLittle, Mar 1, 2014
    #8
  9. Hamburger

    Hamburger Guest

    The only people impressed by Sam Langford are bozos who don't know boxing. Little kids who come here and because some guy on TV tells them something they believe.

    Compared to modern fighters this guy was crude at best.

    What modern sized heavyweights was he fighting? You mean 170 pound guys pretending to be heavyweight? Back in a era where most fighters couldn't even through a decent combination?

    Yeah but because Bert Sugar said he was great then it must be true. Silly absent minded kids like the people in this forum crack me up. So naive.
     
    Hamburger, Mar 2, 2014
    Hamburger, Mar 2, 2014
    #9