Bob Fitzsimmons v Sam Langford. Freckled Fitz versus Squat Sam. At, whatever you think their optimum weights were.20rds. Who prevails?
hmmmm, interesting matchup. wouldn't feel comfortable giving an analysis as i don't know their styles or how they'd mesh well enough. i'll say this: i'd say langford is the harder puncher but fitz appeared the be the better technician. if fitz can fight like he did most of the fight against jeffries and pepper sam from long distance and slam home body shots he could get some real work done. over 20 rounds though, despite fitzsimmons ridiculous stamina i get the feeling that langford would find the openings he needs to hurt him. if it last 20 i give it to fitz, however i think there's a damn good chance langford feints him into a monsterous right to end things
I'm not so sure Langford is the bigger puncher, that's a mighty big claim to be made in reference to Fitzsimmons. This one is all fireworks. Fitz was a great opportunist, feinting, setting traps for his enormous power. I think either Fitz sets such a trap and takes him out or Langford wins over the stretch of 20 rounds. Match em 10 times (no great feat for those times) and they still split the series.
fair analysis, you're thinking along the same lines i did but instead fitz is the bigger puncher with langford more likely to take it over the distance. p4p punching, i give it to langford by a distance but at heavyweight it's pretty even. i always pictured fitz as the more precise and accurate puncher, contributing to his power with langford the harder pure puncher
One of the toughest fights you would ever care to comprehend. As I've stated before, Fitz's style is more of a linear style...but he must have generated tremendous power. You can read the accounts and take it into account that Fitz was a cunning fighter. In his fight with Corbett, he set up the finishing shot to Corbett's body throughout their fight...and he turned that fight with one punch. Langford had more mobility and better punch variation, as well as plenty of power himself. (IMO)Langford has the edge on Fitz due to the mobility factor. But without a doubt Fitz could hurt Sam...But when that occured, Sam has more adaptibility to move out of harm's way. Fitz has tendencies to go forward in straight lines, and back up in straight lines. Overall Sam would be in better positons to press advantges and to retreat when necessary Both would problably hit the deck, but both would get up. Langford decisons Fitz, in the battle of boxing immortals.
I dont understand how it is possible that Fitz could hit harder than Langford at heavy but not be as good at punching, pound for pound. Fitz is the lighter fighter of the two. Fitz never weighed more than a light heavyweight (from what i understand). Langford often did, and the heavier he got, the more impressive his KO power was. As a Middle and smaller he his ko record wasnt very impressive. Fitz' was. Langford has his advantages, in that he was more a modern styled fighter, and it is definitely one for the ages, prime for prime. I am going with Fitz by KO, but it is not with confidence, and it certainly does not suggest anything but a close fight and more than likely if there is a trilogy the series is would be split.
I think Langford had an excellent chin, but so did Tom Sharkey and Fitz flattened him in two. Hard to say who wins here. Langford to me was tougher, and might have more skill ( not guile ), but his style plays right into the hands of Fitzsimmons. I think Langford at his best was the better heavy by a small margin, but I also think sytles can make fights, and Fitzsimmons has the advantage there. 50/50.
