He became blind because a series of jabs from Fred Fulton in their 1917 fight damaged the optic nerve in one eye.
If you think that Dempsey had weak defense, then there is no point to argue with you. Langford showed plenty of defensive skills on the footage we have. Crossarm defense, head movenent, parries. Have you seen the same footage as me?
There are only 3 Langford fights available now. Sparrings from that period didn't show how the fighter fought. Langford in real fights doesn't look like Sapp at all (lol). Saying that Langford was slower than Sapp is ridiculous and extremely funny. Langford was a master boxer who fought in all boxing divisions from WW to HW, Sapp was twice as big as him but also twice slower and he never learnt how to fight. I have to ask: are you trolling? What sparring fights have you seen that most didn't?
You have to be kidding here. In a world where Adam Kownacki is one of the best HWs you talk about Langford being slow? Don't be ridiculous, I see nothing slow in Langford. The way he destroyed Lang showed that he had quick hands and he could use legs well to set up the punches. Langford floored Lang with perfect short hook. He dominated Jeanette with short, fast punches from outside. He threw a few long uppercuts against Flynn but that's because Flynn forced inside fight. I don't remember him throwing wide haymakers in any of his fights, could you show me any example? Not to mention that Langford used jab and used it well. I don't get where have you found that Langford didn't have jab, there are plenty of examples on the tape. How about judging fighters by their fights? Not meaningless sparings? Langford looks nothing like you describe him, maybe you don't talk about the same fighter?
This content is protected Yes, I have. I see, you are just a troll. Langford used even crossarm defense against Jeanette, but you say he stopped punches with his head? You don't know what are you talking about. Here is short clips showing Langford boxing in "modern way": https://streamable.com/gvumv He slipped a jab, then parried another and came with his own. Nothing spectacular, but he showed good defense and instinct. But yeah, people 100 years ago couldn't understand what a guard is.
Smaller gloves gives you more ways to beat your opponent. If you don't see Langford boxing here, the I can't help you. I even shown you example of Langford doing something boxers does all the time today, but you just ejected it.
Again, you watch different fights than all people here if you think that Sapp is better boxer than Langford. BTW, high guard with small gloves is far from the best way to protect himself. If you really think that people 100 years ago were too stupid to put his hands high to defend himself from punches, then I have to worry you, because there is something else that acts like a stupid person...
This forum taught me that Wille Driver and Bob Sapp were better boxers than Sam Langford. Amazing... Sam Langford is arguably the GOAT. The footage we have shows very strong and patient fighter with great punching technique, ability to cut off the ring and simple, subtle defensive moves and good footwork to set up powerful punches. All of these while facing bigger fighters. But yeah, he's worse than Sapp.
Well not just his résumé. His ability to KO top level HWs has to be up there. That and the fact he went up about 40lbs whilst having success and the fact he often have up 40lbs anyway.