Wasn´t that one discussed alread? I think I can remember this one. However, I think Langford´s better mobility will see him winning this fight until Fitz creats a trap, Langford falls for it, Fitz lands a big one and finishes him. Langford is the more complete and I think better fighter overall but Fitz´power and ability to set traps would win it him.
Lets start by saying that these two were undoubtedly the best finishers of the period between John L Sullivan and Jack Dempsey, and perhaps a little outside it.
Langford is due all the respect in the world. Having said that "Brown Bomber" was originaly a derisory term and Louis adopted it.
I think a strong case can be made Stanley Ketchel belongs on that list. Nat Fleischer agrees with me.
HowaboutSamLangfordinsteadoftarbabyouttarespect ? If I have inadvertently offended anyone by using the honored sobriquet that Langford was universally known by ,I apologise. During Langford's ,and McVey's careers they were often referred to as" Big Smoke" ,and " Little Smoke" , "Big S***o" and " Little S***o". Times and attitudes change,what was seen as a compliment albeit a possibly condescending one ,may be viewed as a slur today. Louis was called Big Bronze by English sportswriter Peter Wilson,as recently as 1996 Nigel Benn was being referred to as the Dark Destroyer ,a name he picked himself.
i remember reading randy turpin's biogaphy by jack birtley were he described him as being a half-caste.it sounded ok at the time but now it sounds like something bernard manning would have said
I totally agree. I allways thought it was shameful the way Turpin and his older brothers were treated by the BBBOC.Turpin's Father was gassed in the First World War ,he earned his right to have his sons treated as equals.
:goodi remember seeing a photo of turpin's dad with a load of his army mates. they must have been behind their own lines at the time. brother dick was a deset rat, jackie was with the merchant navy and both of his sisters were with the WAAF.randy was too you young for war service but as you know, did his national service with the navy. as you point out they deserved to be treated as equals.:good the boxing news did its bit to help lift the colour bar in britain and allow dick a deserved shot at the british middleweight title.
On film Langford does not display much defense. His best stuff was skills on offense, hand speed, power, durability, and stamina. Hard to say who wins here. Fitz was a lethal puncher with a good accuracy and a knack for string the vital points. You need some defense when matched with him. Then again Langford was an iron man. 50/50 type of match.
What is most frightening about this is the weights you could make the fight at. You could quite happily match them from 154 to HW! Personally, I think Langford is a shade better, but I do think that Fitzsimmons is underated in the p4p stakes, even on this board.