Where would we rate Sam Langford ,if we had highlights in digital quality, of his kos over such giants of the day as. George Godfrey x2 Harry Wills x2 and tough contenders like Gunboat Smith and Sam Mcvey??????
i have to say you're probably right (damn mcgrain). part of what holds langford back i suspect is the lack of footage. we tend to rank fighters higher if we can see their genius; otherwise we may assume they have sloppy, pre combination technique and get slaughtered today. langford, on resume alone, certainly rates near the top
Colour film, and more advanced cameras, seem to enhance the legacy of any fighter, more than knocking out the heir to their throne.
It troubled me for years, but in fact, it's fair. At the end of the day, boxing is something you feel in your gut and it's a rare species that gets that feeling reading newspaper reports and first hand reports. However interested you might be in the science of boxing it's basically a visceral experience, and nothing beats that KO moment. If you take into account the arc of Langford's career and his style I honestly think he'd enjoy the most incredible highlight reel in the history of the sport if we were lucky enough to have extensive footage. As it is, back to your dusty books sir, and me, too.
I have a feeling if I saw him with todays camera technology, I would probably rat him the best ever. Having said that I would probably do the same with any legendary fighter from that era. Even to see Ali in modern cameras would be remarkable
If McGrain is anything like me, he's always trying to squeeze more than one fighter into that #1 spot. I thought, as classic boxing fans, we were allowed to do that.
i've had ali/robinson/greb fighting for my #1 spot for a year now. and now mcgrain's making me think about langford...****ing hell
