Langford, despite spending a short amount of his career there, was a welterweight early on. As a welterweight, he managed to beat Joe Gans, Jack Blackburn, and he also had a draw with Barbados Joe Walcott that many believed he won. Do you think he'd stand a chance to beat Robinson at 147?
Based off all the printed, no video evidenced legendary tales, I could only imagine that Langford would have completely had his way with and dominated Robinson. I don't see Langford retiring on his stool against Maxim. Not when he was out there beating up Fireman Jim Flynn on a regular basis
As difficult as it is to envision any welterweight having the upper hand over Sugar Ray Robinson, Sam Langford would have an excellent chance. He fought successfully against the best in every division from lightweight to heavyweight over a long career. He didn't lose anything going up in weight classes and should/could have been champion in every division had he been given the proper opportunities.
He technically had claims to all championships from lightweight to light heavyweight. He beat Gans, O'Brien, Ketchel and debatably Walcott. Sure, these aren't legit claims to their titles but I think it still means something
If it was welter Langford against a peak-welter Robinson, I'd go with Robinson. While it's true that Langford decisioned Gans, that fight was ONE DAY after Gans had newspaper decisioned Dave Holly. I suspect Gans had no idea of the caliber of talent he would be facing in Langford. Not saying Sam couldn't win, but I'm going with The Sugar Man. Now, if it was welter-Sam vs. a comparably green Robinson, that's a whole other ball of wax!
Regardless of if Gans fought the day before, Langford still outclassed him over 15 rounds. It was a definitive performance by Langford, and he had similar performances against ATGs in Walcott and Blackburn.
I think Langford beats Robinson. Sam still doesnt get the credit he really deserves, its become cliche to say that Robinson was the 1 p4p all time but there are other contenders Sam being one of them.
