I'll start with Gene Tunney. In his fights against Dempsey, Tunney showed brilliant footwork, an educated jab, and great combination-punching. His movement in particular was remarkable since he was a heavyweight at the time. He was almost impossible to cut off, Dempsey couldn't pin him against the ropes. Dempsey-Tunney I took place in 1926. Another great example would be Muhammad Ali (turned pro in 1960). Ali wasn't small either. He was 6'3 and weighed about 215 lbs in his prime. If Ali was fighting today (same style), he'd still be considered ahead of his time. Maybe? Let's try and stick with fighters who have fight footage available.
Idk about Langford tbh. He fought similar to other greats from that era. His accomplishments on the other hand are unlike anyone from that era. I've never seen Mike Gibbons fight. I'll check him out though.
I'd be interested to read what you think about Gibbons. The available fights are with Packey McFarland and Mike O'Dowd. Langford fought with an ease and natural style that bellied the textbook approach of the era. He used distance rather than a high guard as his primary means of defense. He leveraged his punches from either side. He was wily. He invited leads and was a great counter-puncher. The available fights are with Bill Lang, Joe Jeannette, and Fireman Jim Flynn.
Pep`s moves are even still used in MMA fights today, it`s mentioned on this study: This content is protected
'Gypsy' Jem Mace http://lateralscience.blogspot.com/2017/03/jem-mace-in-his-time-most-scientific.html?m=1 Young Griffo https://thegruelingtruth.net/boxing/part-four-greatest-defensive-fighters-ever-young-griffo/
On this study it is mentioned that Walcott`s baiting tactics keeping his hands low and setting traps is even used by some elite fighters in today`s game: This content is protected
Kind of impossible to prove either way, since we don't have footage of the guys before him who'd be most comparable like Sullivan.
