As dangerous as Langford was...Langford by KO is not out of the question, and maybe he should be rightly favored to do so...BUT with that said, what I've read about Greb, I think he could out speed Sam...and beat him!
You have to favor Langford who did pretty much everything better than Norfolk who gave Greb so much trouble ..
I would favor slightly Greg at both middle and Lt heavyweight at 15 rounds...in 20 I'd go with Langford ...but in 15 grey should have enough toughness and stanima for close wins maybe...if they fought 10 times maybe 6 to 4 greb perhaps
That's a logical stance considering we're talking about Sam Langford here...one of the greatest in history. But I'll just say that what what I've read about Greb's footwork (and the snippet of film seen) I think his style is troublesome for Langford. I think Greb could stay away and outpoint Sam...I don't think Sam would find a cooperative target, that he found to his liking.
All time great mythical matchup. I think its a tough fight to judge and wish Langford had been allowed to fight some of the better white fighters of the era so we could better judge him because if you look at most of the guys he lost or drew with in his prime Greb was better than them. So its no stretch to say that Greb could beat him. Yes, Grant has an interesting point that Norfolk gave Greb problems but one point: Norfolk was a HW in that fight. Would Norfolk have done as well had he been forced to make weight (which he refused to do)? Maybe, maybe not. I think this fight really depends on which Sam shows up (he could be pretty inconsistent even in his victories) because facing someone as good and consistent as Greb is a far cry from fighting someone like Jim Barry or Jim Flynn. I dont think Id be putting all of my eggs in a knockout basket for Langford. Think about it: Do you really want to bet on a KO against someone as tough and slippery as Greb? If he doesnt KO Greb do you really want to bet on a decision against someone as fast, tireless, and volume punching as Greb? I think Langford has to either stop Greb or hurt him so bad that Greb stops taking chances.
Good post. I was hoping you would weigh in. Completely agree that Greb is better than some Langford reportedly struggled with...It's been awhile since I've seen Langford/Lang, and Sam looked like a killer in that fight, but with that said, he would drop his hands completely to entice Lang to get close enough to throw with him...He was having trouble closing distance due to Lang playing keep away, and Lang does not look that graceful or quick by any stretch of the imaginaion...add to that equation Greb's speed and angles...and it's food for thought in considering Greb's chances...I just think he gives Sam a hard time...But ....no I would not bet on it. But I lean towards Harry beating him...and Fitz as well.
Its definately a tough one to pick. Langfords power and Greb's toughness and elusiveness are what make it difficult. If Langford didnt have ungodly power itd be an easy Greb pick. I just think, and you can see this a lot, when youve got a guy who is really tough and throws dozens of punches, they are just hard to outpoint to a decision unless you can do something drastic. Langford is one of the few can really do that so its got to be a tossup. Id love to see it though. Its one of those edge of your seat type of fights where you are wondering if Greb can run out the clock, or if lightning strikes. Itd be fun.
