I've seen many p4p list where he's top 3. I have many lads who are fans and have SRR/Greb top 3. Why is Langford so high? If someone were to debate you about a certain fighter being higher what points would you use for Sam? Looking at his Boxrec its very complicated to pin point his accomplishments.
He beat Joe Gans as a youngster. At higher weights he beat guys including Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Sam McVea, Joe Jeanette, Harry Wills, Gunboat Smith etc. Tons of great wins.
Ray Robinson lost 19 times .. I think Charles had well over 20 loses .. my point is fighters careers are more than numbered tallies and have to be looked at in detail and context ..if you're truly interested , here's a great start .. https://www.amazon.com/Sam-Langford...ds=sam+langford&qid=1637790039&s=books&sr=1-1
Harry Wills calls Langford the hardest hitter he ever fought. That's saying something because he was seldom stopped in his prime and fought his share of punchers.
He did, but he went further. He said that every other fighter hit "like a woman" when compared to Sam. Sam was a freaky-deaky puncher; Foster, Wilde, Wilder, Langford. One of those.
Here's a poem writing during Langford's fighting days that gives some insight into how the prime young Lqngford was ducked at middleweight .. Who'll fight Sam Langford? Who'll fight Sam Langford? "Not I," said Stanley K., "Britt has taken me away And I'm signed to do a play. Then I'm going to the hay. I'll not fight Sam Langford." Who'll fight Sam Langford? "Not I," said Jack the Twin, "I am careful of my chin And I'm pretty near all in, And suicide's a sin. I'll not fight Sam Langford." Who'll fight Sam Langford? "Not I," is Papke's wail, "I'm a lily white and pale And my life is not for sale; Why I'd sooner go to jail. I'll not fight Sam Langford" Who'll fight Sam Langford? "Not I," said Kid McCoy, "I'm a pretty game old boy, But this unrefined employ I will leave for hoi polloi. I'll not fight Sam Langford" Who'll fight Sam Langford? "Not I," said poor old Fitz, "Though I'd fight for just six bits, Still I haven't lost my wits; I'll preserve my speckled mitts. I'll not fight Sam Langford." Who'll fight Sam Langford? "Not I," said Hugo Kelly, "He would pound me to a jelly And I'd lose some vermicalli. Not for me. What ta helli? I'll not fight Sam Langford." Who'll fight Sam Langford? "Not I," said Joe da Grim, "I no like to fight with him Cause he shutta up my glim And da chances are too slim. I'll notta fight Sam Langford." Who'll fight Sam Langford? "Not I," Al Kaufman said, "You are crazy in the head. Chase yourself and go to bed. I ain't anxious to be dead. I'll not fight Sam Langford." Who'll fight Sam Langford? "Not us," the low brows cried And they turned around to hide. "Nix; the color line is wide, And we're going to stay inside. We'll not fight Sam Langford."
