Since ESB is a copy-cat league, I thought this one was worth posting. Thoughts, insight? Assume both are relatively prime relative to the 160-170 range. 12 rounds here.
Interesting match up. Forcing the fight to take place at 160 would give Hopkins the best chance, because there would be the issue of Langford making weight.
Sam was 160 or abouts when he beat Joe Jeanette, Jim Barry and Jim Fynn. That's the Langford I'm looking for, not the fat one.
This one is just too hard for me to call. I think Langford would be a bad style match for Bernard Hopkins. Though, I could see Hopkins winning a close decision. It would be a very interesting fight.
Depends on the rules and how the fighters adapt to it. I think Hopkins would be less troubled with the more loose rules in Langford´s time than Langford would have with the more restricting rules in Hopkins´. Langford would be one of the few would could knock Hopkins out. 12 rounds would help Hopkins. From what I´ve seen Hopkins has the better defence and this may be the decider here.
Hopkins UD he can outbox Langford from the outside and stop Langford walking him down with his defense and movement.
So, today I have learned that decent middleweight puncher will trouble Langford more than giant 6-7, 245 lb. heavyweight who stops nearly every opponent he faces and has lost only a handful of rounds in his career. ESB Classic, you are truly enlightening!
Sam at 175-185 pounds wasn't fat. He was extremely broad, and compact! Hopkins is essentially a defensive minded counter puncher with a great chin, and decent jab who likes to mix in questionable tactics when the ref isn't looking. However power was not his thing, and Hopkins had some trouble with speedy boxers. I think Langford probably wins a decision or knocks Hopkins out, depending on Hopkins decision to trade.
Sam Langford is somewhere as second or third most carreeer knockouts. Behind the great Archie Moore. He knocked out heavyweights! Sometimes weighing not much more than 160 to 175 lbs! Fought blind for the later part of his carreer! If b-hop ran Sam would catch him. I b-hop traded Sam would knock him out.Langford was not bad defensively . A bit ahead of his time actually. Was a devestating puncher This guy fought the best black fighters of his era. Was avoided by Jack Johnson and the white heavyweights of his era, including Jack Dempsey. No wat could Hopkins ever beat The great Langford.
It's not even picking Hopkins over Langford, but some are insinuating Langford would have more trouble with Hopkins than Vitali, Janitor for one (tho I have much respect for his historical knowledge even if I disagree with the conclusions he draws from it).
Well, I don´t think Vitali is in the same league as Hopkins as a fighter. He is bigger that´s the only thing he has going for him.