How did Sam Langford..

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by boxerca, Dec 24, 2009.


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  1. boxerca

    boxerca Guest

    .. gain over 60 pounds throughout his career and still be in good shape?

    The earliest recorded weight of his that I could find was that he weighed in at 140 when he fought Joe Gans in 1903 (he was around 20, at the time). In 1916, he weighed in at around 200 pounds (he was around 33).

    How is it possible for a man to gain over 60 pounds, throughout his career, and still be in top boxing form?
     
    boxerca, Dec 24, 2009
    boxerca, Dec 24, 2009
    #1
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Well Langford wasn't in form at 200, he was out of shape. I believe he was in shape at around 180. So he's gained around 35lbs in his career, less than Roy Jones (still in fighting shape at HW), around the same as Duran (in good shape at 160), slightly more than Mickey Walker. Not that extraordinary given he started boxing as a teen. What is extraordinary are the ATG's he continued to reap as he stepped up.
     
    McGrain, Dec 24, 2009
    McGrain, Dec 24, 2009
    #2
  3. horst

    horst Guest

    Considering the times Langford lived in, the differences in science, training, nutrition, etc etc, I'm sure you'll agree his weight-jumping was sensationally astounding though. Beating Gans and Tiger Flowers in the same career is just mind-boggling.
     
    horst, Dec 24, 2009
    horst, Dec 24, 2009
    #3
  4. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    He was a teenager when he started out, so he still had a lot of filling out to do. Same with a guy like Pacquiao today. Pac wasn't a natural Flyweight as he's made out to be by his nut-hugging fans, he was just a young kid who'd yet to grow into his body. All the same, Langford wasn't a natural Light or Welterweight, he was just a young kid, growing up the hard way.
     
    Sweet Pea, Dec 24, 2009
    Sweet Pea, Dec 24, 2009
    #4
  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Well Mickey Walker did something very similar boxing betweeen 140 and 175. Moore came a bit later but boxed between 160 and 200.
     
    McGrain, Dec 24, 2009
    McGrain, Dec 24, 2009
    #5
  6. horst

    horst Guest

    Credit to both men that they were able to compete at world title level before they reached physical maturity (obviously more to Langford because I think Gans was a slightly better lightweight than Sasakul was a flyweight! :lol:)
     
    horst, Dec 24, 2009
    horst, Dec 24, 2009
    #6
  7. horst

    horst Guest

    Hence why all three men are in most peoples' top 15 p4p of all-time (I have Walker in my top 10).
     
    horst, Dec 24, 2009
    horst, Dec 24, 2009
    #7
  8. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Success at multiple weights is always going to be a factor in such lists, no doubt.
     
    McGrain, Dec 24, 2009
    McGrain, Dec 24, 2009
    #8
  9. boxerca

    boxerca Guest

    Teenager? He was like 20.

    But even so, I just don't understand how someone can do it so naturally. Especially at a time like that.
     
    boxerca, Dec 24, 2009
    boxerca, Dec 24, 2009
    #9
  10. Hookie

    Hookie Affeldt... Referee, Judge, and Timekeeper Full Member

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    It's not like he was ripped at 200Lbs. James Toney fought well from 160- way over 200Lbs. Or maybe Langford was on HGH!!!???
     
    Hookie, Dec 24, 2009
    Hookie, Dec 24, 2009
    #10
  11. China_hand_Joe

    China_hand_Joe Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    160-225 is less of a jump than 140-190
     
    China_hand_Joe, Dec 24, 2009
    China_hand_Joe, Dec 24, 2009
    #11
  12. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    well 20 is just 1 year more than 19
     
    GPater11093, Dec 24, 2009
    GPater11093, Dec 24, 2009
    #12
  13. Hookie

    Hookie Affeldt... Referee, Judge, and Timekeeper Full Member

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    140-190Lbs. is a about a 35% jump.

    160-225. is about a 40% jump.

    So, what were you saying?
     
    Hookie, Dec 24, 2009
    Hookie, Dec 24, 2009
    #13
  14. Hookie

    Hookie Affeldt... Referee, Judge, and Timekeeper Full Member

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    Anyway, where are we going with this?

    Langford did well from WW-HW... what's the point? Out with it damnit!!! lol
     
    Hookie, Dec 24, 2009
    Hookie, Dec 24, 2009
    #14
  15. Frazier Hook

    Frazier Hook Member Full Member

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    No Langford was 17 and Gans was 29.....Langford would of won the Lightweight title but didnt due to coming in at 136lb just a pound over the limt.
     
    Frazier Hook, Dec 24, 2009
    Frazier Hook, Dec 24, 2009
    #15
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