Charles was past his prime and above his best weight class in those fights however. I'm almost 50/50 in this fight, i agree with most of what people have said above, i can see charles outboxing langford over 15 rounds for a UD, however i can also see langford being behind on points beginning to get inside charles and breaking him down for a late TKO. If pushed i would side with charles at his very best to take a UD i think
From what I've seen Charles is much better technically, faster, rangier, better defensively and possibly even as powerful. Charles UD
That's a very interesting thing to say, i like it. But Langford proved himself much more versitile in my eyes.
This is a really great match-up. 2 of the very best light Heavyweights fighting for supremacy. What stands out is the durability of Langford and who had the better chin although he isn't immune from being hurt by Charles. Charles looked more fluid on film and appeared to have the better hand speed and timing. Langford punched harder and had true one punch KO power although depending on what Charles showed up that night I wouldn't bank on Langford getting him out of there early. In my estimation Charles would be giving Langford a real boxing lesson early in the fight but in a 15 round bout with Langford pressing, parrying, barring, countering and feinting with the threat of one punch KO power I can truly see a Marciano Vs Walcott 1 type fight ending with a KO in the 15 round. I pride myself on picking a winner and my money would be on Langford. I recall a person asking me to pick the winner of Trinidad Vs Delahoya as he was looking to put big money on the fight and simply needed me to call the winner. When I told him to go with Trinidad he responded Delahoya is quicker, smarter, more agile are you sure he asked. I said if it was 15 rounds I would be 100% sure but go ahead and place the bet it's good money. After he collected his winnings he asked me what made you go with Trinidad. I said when 2 guys enter a room and one has a 45 and the other has a shot gun default to heart and courage. If he has shown enough heart in the past then all he needs is one shotgun blast to get his opponent out of there or watch his opponent start to retreat. Fitzsimmons Vs Corbett comes to mind. In the case of Delahoya he started to retreat but I fear with the bravery Charles was always willing to display that it would have to be that one Shotgun blast rendering him unconscious.
Sam Langford was extremely good techical fighter. Some people here think that he was just a brawler with good chin and great punch, but that's not the case.
I'm going for Langford by late ko ,an excellent match up in which I am less than confident of my pick.
