Sam Langford vs. Floyd Patterson

Patterson presents quite a bit of what ifs in a matchup with Sam, I don’t think Langford ever fought someone with that combination of speed, explosiveness and power. That said, would running into the line of fire really be ideal for Floyd here? Langford’s not only a monstrous puncher but also a methodical, accurate one with some pretty fast hands himself.

It would probably be short, good chance Langford goes down but he butchers Patterson at some point.

 

Haven't seen Langford on film, but he was a big punching 190 pounder. He could put Patterson down, but from what I can gather, Patterson was alot more skilled and faster and wasn't exactly a feather fist himself. I favor Patterson.

 

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Looks like Henry Akinwande and John Ruiz time traveled to 1910 and fought one another.

 

Floyd Patterson split decision win

 

I honestly choose Patterson without thinking too much...

 

There are a lot of aspects to like Patterson for, but I fear Langford would make short shrift of The Gentleman of Boxing.

 

What a great match up. Well done. I’m not sure. Sorry, that’s all I got atm.

 

Langford is higher on the ATG list without a shadow of a doubt, but H2H it's a different story for me. I know he was durable, patient, and vicious, but he was also stationary, especially on the outside. And he was vulnerable to long, sharp jabs and rangy out-fighters like Wills. Patterson has quite a bit of height and reach on him, definitely more mobile and fluid on the outside, and was no defensive dunce thanks to that D'Amato head movement.

Like others have said, I'm also not sure Langford ever fought anybody with the combination of blistering hand speed, athletic talent, and explosive power that Patterson combined. I will say, his wins over Joe Jeanette and Sam McVea serve him well here: I'd be willing to hear someone out that Jeannette and McVea might have been tougher than Patterson. His win over Kid Norfolk also looks good, as he was slick and powerful, and had a (bit of a) win over Harry Greb. Patterson did sometimes get ****ed up w/ feints too, that was Langford's bread and butter when it came to getting into position against taller fighters. He'd buck and weave his way into a spot where he could swat and grapple and yank down on these dudes. He was also good at countering people when they rushed in, had a sort of stabbing left that would jar them back, would land it on the chin or chest or even neck, collarbone, or throat. He really only did this well against fighters with no jab and less rhythm than Patterson, though. And ones who didn't have the head movement or defensive tightness.
I think Patterson would jab, jab, jab away at Langford while Sam waited for a moment to yank him in and batter on the inside, or pop him when he overcommitted or opened up. Patterson would use his head movement and stay safe, though, and when they were on the inside he'd answer Langford's swipes, swats, and bats with short hooks, fluid flurries, and the digging bodywork he gave the Old Mongoose.

I think Langford has a chance, especially if he can frustrate, intimidate, or confuse Patterson and catch him off balance. Otherwise, though, I'm taking Patterson by stoppage.

 

Langford is the God Of War and sends him to the promised land.

 

While not as extreme as Langford in relative terms, the larger Floyd carried his own highly impressive P4P attributes.

All things considered, it’s not unreasonable to calculate a net advantage in Patterson’s favour.

At any rate, I think it would be a heck of fight in terms of the stylistic mesh and consequential entertainment value.

 

Patterson might be ahead on points at the time, but somewhere along the line Langford times and catches him on that jaw and it is going to be over shortly thereafter. A lot of decent punchers dropped Patterson. Langford was a great puncher. He'd drop and finish him. Ironically, the older, slower, more risk averse, less busy, but bigger version of Patterson probably takes it better than the younger, faster, friskier version. Either way, Langford had the chin to take whatever Patterson had, and with his power, skill, timing, and toughness, he's probably going to get the job done. But I grant it isn't entirely out of the question that if Floyd fights the perfect fight, he could get a decision.