How did the Ketchel-Langford fight go ?

Ketchel-Papke was ****.

 

Apr 27, 1910 – Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. Langford vs. Stanley Ketchel: The bout took place in Philadelphia, PA at the National AC. "Sam Langford, of Boston, defeated Stanley Ketchel of Grand Rapids in a six round bout at the National Club last night. Forty-five hundred enthusiastic pugilistic fans were gathered last night to see what promised to be the best contest held in Philadelphia this season, and they were not disappointed. They saw two perfectly trained athletes, endowed with science, strength and bull dog tenacity, pummel each other for eighteen minutes , with the honors finally going to the colored man. For several years various clubs throughout the country have tried to match these champions, but it remained for Philadelphia to land the contest
and the diversity of opinion as to the result will furnish food for thought for many moons. It was a
daring risk for the club to take since it had been freely reported that the two men had agreed to box
an "intelligent" bout with the view of holding a longer fight in California, but those at ringside last night were perfectly satisfied that they had seen the most interesting bout of the year. It is a question, however, whether Langford really tried his hardest all the way, or whether he pulled up a
bit in the last two rounds when he knew he had taken the sting out of Ketchel's punches. He was too
unconcerned to be going at top speed and many good judges are of the opinon that the white man
will be his voctim of they ever meet in a long contest. The scene inside the clubhouse was one to
be remembered. The high admission fee, ranging from two to ten dollars, kept out the noisy
element, and there were many wll known faces to be seen there. Lawyers, doctors, professional and
society men of all grades, working men and "sports" mingled freely and there was the best of
feeling existing. All were there to see the contest and it was a good-natured crowd. Everything was
taken in good spirit and the slightest incident was sufficient to raise a laugh. This was demonstrated
when one daring individual wearing a silk hat and white spats-climbed on the edge of the ring to
make it to the opposite side of the house. He was marked in a second and a heary laugh went
around the club. With the utmost nonchanlance the wearer of the "plug hat" continued his walk and
finally the crowd gave him a rousing cheer for his nerve. That was the way it went all hands were
in good humor and waiting for the big noise. LANGFORD APPEARED FIRST: After three
preliminaries had been waded through, the crowd settled down to the main event and a tense
feeling spread over the multiitude. A wait of fifteen minutes and then the stockh figure of Sam
Langford was seen making his way down the aisle. He climbed into the ring and took his seat
amongst the storm of cheers. The colored man was not any too comfortable , and he bit his lips
nervously while waiting the arrival of his opponent. When Ketchel came into the ring he shook
hands smilingly with Langford and each examined the others gloves. The test was satisfactory, and
Ketchel went to his corner while the crowd yelled its sympathy and support. It did not take long to
adjust the gloves, and yet it was apparent that the "Michigan Assasin" was just as nervous as
Langford. He sat with a serious look in his face and it was a positive relief for both men when Jack
McGuigan, the referee called them to the center for final instructions. They shook hands again
while listening to the referee and went back to their corners to await the sound of the gong. All the
time the crowd was holding its breath and critically looking over the two men. There did not seem
to be anything in their condition which could be taken exception to although Langford
appeared to have an advantage in weight. Then the bell rang. It sounded louder than a bugle call
and the two men sprang to the center of the ring with guards up and watching for an opening. Their
faces denoted the the physical strain under which they were laboring, but with the first lead they
seemed to come to themselves and were like seasoned warriors. They warily moved around a few
seconds and then Kethcel opened the proceedings with a light left to the chest. From this stage their
minds concentrated on their task and most moves were carefully figured out. Indeed so careful were
they that the crowd was dissatisfied and some thought it was to be a fake. Jeers and hisses were
(unreadable word), but the men paid no attention that and went about their business in (unreadable
word) fashion. They were quick on their feet, and took no chances in getting a punch to the jaw.


(unreadable word) at the same time they tried all their wiles to make each other open up. Most of
Ketcels leads were swings for the head and he failed to do any execution with them. Langford
would step just out of reach or jab with a left to the face and thus prevent Ketchel from landing.
When the bell rang no damage was done., although Langford had deonstrated that he was the
cleverer and had the better left jab. The milling warmed up in the second round and Ketchel
managed to get home with some body punches which caused Langford to be more careful. The
latter also did some telling work with his left and honors were about even. KETCHEL SHAKEN
UP: In the third round Langford took a decided lead and gave the spectators a taste of his real
quality. He shook Ketchel badly with swings to the head and the Michigan man was forced to
clinch frequently to escape punishment. Langford was cool as a piece of ice and his seconds did not
bother him with advice during the round. They realized that he was adopting the best tactics and
were satisfied to depend on his judgment. the bell found Ketchel rather weary and the crowd better
pleased. The fourth round was really the turning point in the contest. Langford saw that Ketchel
was losing his steam and he mercilessly followed him up, landing telling left jabs and right body
swings . Twice he shook Ketchel with jaw punches and brought blood from the mouth and nose
with well-timed jabs. Ketchel tried to bore in, but his efforts seemed half-hearted and some of his
punches were a yard wide of their mark. Notwithstanding his advantage Langford did not try to
take any liberties and was content to make every blow tell. Ketchel looked very tired, and when he
missed his swings, it needed an effort to get back into position. Ketchel mad ehis best showing in
the fifth round, but it looked as though Langford was letting up his work. Ketchel played both
hands to the body and although they did not have much steam, they landed. Langford mad elittle
attempt to block the body blows when at close quarters and smiled to his seconds while Ketchel
was sending his punches to the body. The colored man kept cool and was comparitively fresh when
he went back to his corner, but Ketchel on the other hand appaeared to be tired out, and it was
harder for him to get set for his blows. Encouraged by his success in the preceding round, Ketchel
tried to cut out the pace iin the last session and he bored in all the time , but the sting had gone from
his blows and they didn not bother Langford in the slightest. In fact, Langford's easy work mad eit
appear as though he was not trying to do any more damage and he contended himself with jabbing,
while Ketchel was wildly swinging both hands in a frantic endeavor to connect with a vital spot.
When Ketchel was trying to land his punches to the body, he would jump in the air, and it looked to
the casual observer as though the punches were landing with great force, but there was little steam
to them and Langford was holding safe. To sum it up Langford was much the stronger and cleverer
and his jabs had a disconcerting effect on Ketchel. The latter took all kinds of chances and landed
some good body blows but he was also swinging wildly and at times Langford was many feet away
when the punches were started. The colored man looked to be in pretty good shape at the close, but
was tired and wild and the sound of the bell was a welcome interruption." Ketchel received $9375;
Langford $5625. Philadelphia Evening Bulletin (Report typed out by Monte Cox)

 

The Philadelphia Record April 28, 1910– Headline “Langford Bests Stanley Ketchel, Boxing Entirely on the Defensive the Black Man Landed Most Blows – White Boy Made Fight – Forcing the Contest in Every Round and Was Well Winded at Finish”:

“Fighting cautiously and continually on the defensive, Sam Langford, colored, had the better of Stanley Ketchel, white, in a six round bout at the National Athletic Club last evening before a crowded house that netted about $20,000, the big end of which went to the white man. Ketchel forced the fight in nearly every round, and had the better of the third and fifth rounds in which Langford did little but block. Also to Stanley should go whatever honors were gained in the first round, for there, as during nearly every instand of the fight, the white boy was forcing. But he usually forced in vain, for the black’s guard was well nigh invulnerable. There was really nothing done in the first round, however, since boty men were intent on feeling the other fellow out. The second and fourth rounds were Langford’s, and so was the sixth, in which Ketchel cut loose with all the visciousness for which he is noted, only to find that Langford, strong, clever and cool, could stop his blows and occasionally shoot a straight left to the face that came with double force since it caught Ketchel coming in.

(Paragraph titled ‘Langford Did Not Try His Best&#8217 – Just what Langford could have done to Ketchel last night, had he cut loose, can only be surmised, but he surely did not try his best to gain a decisive victory last evening, apparently being well content to block and counter and wait to gather the persimmon that he must surely feel is his, in a longer and better paying contest on the Pacific Coast.

It must not be forgotten, however, that Langford, by fighting continually on the defensive, had a great advantage and it must also be remembered that had Ketchel fought in the same manner every round would have been just as uninteresting as was the first. Ketchel made the fight from start to finish and deserves credit for it. Langford played safe and blocked and countered and did it so skillfully that he easily outpointed the white man. Had Sam cut loose with a few leads on his own account he might not have been able to avoid so many of Ketchel’s hard and well delivered blows.

(Paragraph titled ‘First Blood for Ketchel) – Langford spit blood from a slight cut on the lip before the first round was half over, but that was about all the damage that was done him. The claret was started from Ketchel’s nose late in the fourth round and from that time on he bled profusely. There was no semblence of a knockdown, although Langford slipped to his knees just before the bell in the fifth round. Ketchel nearly fought himself out in trying to get to Langford in the final round, but Sam blocked every effort and occasionally shot out that straight left to the face, about the only blow he used during the contest. His right was always busy blocking, and he never attempted to follow up any of the openings that presented themselves.

By so doing he saved a lot of trouble for himself, for Ketchel on several occasions let go a right swing that would have felled an ox had Langford run into one of them trying to stop Ketchel.

Some of the spectators seemed to think that Ketchel, having forced the fighting, should be given credit for a victory, but it is difficult to see how that could honestly be done since a great majority of his blows did not land.

They reported that when the men met in the center of the ring prior to the start of the contest to shake hands that Ketchel did not look to be too well trained and appeared nervous and worried. Ketchel wore red trunks and Sam pea green.

Highlights by round:
Round 2 – Sam staggered Ketchel with a left in the face and they came into a clinch. At one point Ketchel butted Sam in the head and Sam returned the compliment. There was some hissing and the referee warned the men to stop it.

Round 3- Sam utilized an uppercut to catch Ketchel as he would come in close. The bell rang to end the round and each tried to land afterwards, to seperated by the referee.

Round 4 – Ketchel again did the leading but his blows did no damage. They had a lively rally, fighting all over the ring. It was in Langford’s favor, as he blocked most of Ketchel’s blows, while occasionally getting in some hard raps himself. Sam landed a stiff jab to Stanley’s nose, bringing the blood. Ketchel was tiring and he could not protect himself. Ketchel was holding on to avoid punishment. Ketchel came back and staggered Sam with a hard right to the head. Ketchel was tired and bleeding as he went back to his corner.

Round 5 – Ketchel came out of his corner in good shape and again forced the fighting. He landed on Sam’s head and want after him hammer and tongs, Langford backing away and trying to ward off the shower of blows which Ketchel was sending him. Then Sam steadied and landed a stiff jab to Ketchel’s nose and started the blood from his organ freely again. They went at each other at the end of the round and Sam slipped to the floor just before the bell rang.

Round 6 – Ketchel started to make a grand stand finish of it, and he went right at Langford landing on the body hard. After a clinch, Sam once again landed a stiff jab to the nose starting the blood once again. They clinched and Ketchel landed hard on the body, and worked hard in clinches to get to Sam’s body, but Langford held him off and laughed. Then they broke away and Langford landed two jabs on Ketchel’s nose and the blood fairly gushed. It was noticed that Langford was using only one hand and it looked to those close to the ring as if he was not exerting himself very much. Ketchel roughed it at close quarters, trying for an uppercut, and Langford blocked his blows and stalled him off. They were doing this sort of thing when the bell rang”

 

Another newspaper report out of Philadelphia ran with the headline “Ketchel Wins Because Langford is Under Pull” by Billy Hicks:
“Stanley Ketchel, the Michigan Assassin, defeated Sam Langford in their six round bout at the National Athletic Club. Had Langford willed it, he could have “assassinated” the man from Michigan.

The fight went the six rounds, was a great bout to look at, full of sensational incident, but when the final bell rang, there were few at ringside who were not satisfied that Langford was up to his old tricks of saving a man he could have licked to use him as a meal ticket later.

Langford got a pretty big chunk of money for the fight and he did not give full value for the coin. With him it was clearly a case of saving Ketchel for another time. They will probably meet in a “finish” bout on the coast out of which both will get fat sums.

To his credit it can be said that Ketchel did not appear to be “in on the play”. He fought as he always does, hard from the first bell to the end, and was always trying to land a knockout punch. He hit Langford pretty often and hard, too, but never had the colored man in danger, and in return was made the receiver of a lot of stinging punches. Early in the bout Langford started Ketchel’s nose bleeding and he took care to rap the beak every once in a while to keep the claret flowing. The gore made the fight look good.

The colored man but up a battle that was declared to be far below his best. Usually he is a stranger to swings, relying on short, snappy punches to rock his opponent to sleep. In this fight he was busy swinging with both hands as a windmill in a gale and seldom did he land with any force behind the blow. Ketchel kept rushing, banging away with both hands and while he did some damage, it was not enough to amount to very much. He landed the more punches, did most of the leading and his blows were the harder. One these counts he was entitled to a decision. But had Langford wanted to win there is little doubt that he could have done so and with a knockout.

At the end of one of the rounds Langford, the old ringman and wise as he is in matters pugilistic, let his desire to knock out Ketch get the better of him and kept fighting after the bell. It looked great, the whole house was on its feet cheering the wonderful scrap, but the colored man failed to connect with any of the terrific punches. At the same time he was careful not to take any of Ketchel’s hard swings that were whizzing about his head.

The fighting in the first round had a slight odor of rat to it. After the men had been sparring for a few seconds Ketchel started one of his famous shifts,seemingly being anxious to win with his first punch. He never finished shifting, for he saw at once that Langford was not where the blow was to go. (With a grin Langford got out of the way of the punch and shot his left to the face.) The colored man had shown his cleverness by getting away from Ketchel’s best punch, and the manner in which he did this proved to everyone at the ringside that the best bower in the “Assassin’s” deck was useless. Then Sam began to go at his man like a tiger. He rushed in and shot three uppercuts to the chin, but they all missed.

And so the fight went until the last round. Ketchel was always trying and his best efforts were set at naught by the cleverness of his colored opponent. Langford, often, met Ketchel at close quarters and slugged away with the Michigan man. At these times the honors were usually in favor of the negro, though Ketch landed some hard body blows. On more than one occasion Ketchel was staggered by the punches he received, but instead of following up his advantage Langford was content to let matters stand as they were and Stanley “came back.”

More than forty-five hundred persons jimmied their way into the old armory that is the home of the National Athletic Club. Prices of $2, $5 and $10 were cheerfully paid by those who were fortunate enough to be able to get a chance to get pasteboards for their coin. There was at least $24,000 in the house.”

Prior to the bout “Ketchel gave it out that he had a couple of excuses ready for use in case he was put to sleep. In the first place he insisted on weighing in at the middleweight limit, 158 pounds, so that if defeated he would be able to prove that he was at weight, while there was not the slightest chance of Langford being near that notch. That would have saved the championship for the white man, had he been unfortunate enough to be put away. His second alibi was the fact that his right hand, hurt in his fight with Klaus in Pittsburgh sometime ago, was not as strong as it should have been.

To prove this, attention was called to the fact that the “mauley” wa shot full of cocaine before the fight was started to deaden any pain that might be caused by whanging away at Langford’s tough head and ribs.

As it happened there was no occasion to use either excuse, and judging from the manner in which Ketchel used his hand, the cocaine did its duty. He used the fist as often as he could, and there seemed to be no ill effects from the punches.

Round highlights:
Round 2 – After a moment’s sparring Ketchel shot a left to the face with such force that the colored man was turned about like a top. He did not seem to be hurt, though, for he was going away with the punch and jumped back into the fray with a smile.

Round 3 – The third started with another rush on the part of Ketch. Langford broke ground for an instand and then rushed to close quarters. Ketchel met the rush with a right swing that looked to be able to take the head off any man unfortunate enough to get in its way. Langford wasn’t unfortunate. He let the punch go by and hooked his left twice to the face.

These two blows were the best that the colored man had used up to that time. The second caught Ketchel on the nose and mouth and started blood. From then on Ketchel bled, and soon his face and chest were covered with claret. That did not seem to bother him and it made the spectators think that they were getting full value for the high prices paid.

Nearing the end of the round a rush by Ketchel was met by a pretty inside left to the jaw, and there was enough sting to the punch to make the Assassin back away. Langford did not follow up his advantage although he looked to have a good chance to do a lot of damage if not win with a K.O.

Round 4 – Ketchel gave his shift another try, and again he failed with this deadly punch, and got a slam on his sore beak that made the blood splatter over both men. Langford then shot two shorot arm lefts to the face and Ketchel looked to be in bad shape. However, once more Langford failed to take advantage of the opportunity.

Round 5 – Was about the same as number four. Again Langford had a chance to win or what looked to be a chance but he let it slip. All this time Ketchel was doing the forcing and getting home enough punches to give him a lead on points. But he wasn’t hurting the squat negro.

Round 6 – This round was the best of the fight. Ketchel slammed away wildly. Langford gave ground, clinched and stalled. The crowd thinking the colored man all in, roared to Ketchel to get in and finish things. But there was no chance. Langford was playing possum. He simply let Ketchel fight away, sent in a light punch once in a while to let people know he was there, and waited for the bell.”

 

Philadelphia Public Ledger report of the fight – Headline: “Ketchel Wins By A Shade Over Langford – Forced Bout and Landed Greater Number of Blows on Clever Opponent – Negro Did Not Try – Man Who is After Johnson was Content to Hold His Opponent Safe”:

“Stanley Ketchel by forcing the fighting and making a contest out of what would have otherwise developed into a paltry exhibition, earned a decision over Sam Langford. Did Langford try? That question will only be answered when the two men meet in a longer bout on the Pacific coast. There is one thing certain regarding last nights bout.

Langford used his right hand but four times until the last round, when Ketchel in his “Garrison” finish, compelled the negro to use his right to keep the Michicagan middleweight at bay. Eight times in the final round Langford used a short right hand uppercut as a counter, and only showed what he really could do had he extended himself.

In the third round when Sam’s left shoulder was a little low, Ketchel ripped through a wild swing which cut Langford’s ear.

The bout served as a splendid curtain raiser to the proposed 20-round bout on the coast, but it was apparent to the writer that Langford was Ketchel’s master over the longer route, as he showed little punishment at the end of the six rounds, while no one could tell what would have been the result had he cut loose and fought as Langford only can fight.

Langford was attended his corner by Joe Gans, the former world’s champion lightweight, George Cole, George Byers, and Young Mississippi, of turf and ring fame.

 

April 28, 1910 – L.A. Times. Fight Result Is Suspicious
Langford Does Not Put Life Into His Punches.
Shows Mastery Over Ketchel as Boxing-General.
White Man Looks Untrained and Very Nervous.
(By Direct Wire To The Times)
Philadelphia, April 27 – (Exclusive Dispatch) “Sam Langford, the Boston Tar Baby, showed that he is the master of Stanley Ketchel as a boxer when they met in the ring of the National Athletic Club tonight.

The men were matched to box six rounds, and, according to the police regulations here, there are no decisions allowed, but Langford clearly outpointed Ketchel and had him tired and bleeding when the bell rang to end the last round.

There were about 600 persons packed into the big arena, some of the best business and professional men of this city and New York surrounding the ringside. The receipts will amount to about $22,500.

The negro looked to be in the best physical condition and was in marked contrast to Ketchel, who looked untrained and nervous, while the black fellow was smiling and confident.

There was little time spent in maneuvering when the men took the center of the ring. Langford showed that he was a faster boxer than Ketchel, jabbing Stanley to the nose time and again without a return. Ketchel did not seem to be able to get the range of his opponent, and he missed many swings, which went wild.

Langford, while jabbing Ketchel whenever he wanted to, did not seem to be putting much life in his work and there were suspicions around the ringside, that the match was not on the level.

 

A.P. Says Draw.
No Damage is Done
(Associated Press Night Report)
Philadelphia. April 27 – Sam Langford of Boston, and Stanley Ketchel of Michigan, met tonight in the arena of the National Athletic Club in a six-round bout and at the end there was little to choose between the men.

If anything, Langford had a slight advantage, but a draw would have been a fair decision.

After the first round both men fought viciously, Ketchel playing for the colored man’s body, while Langford used a straight left, varied occasionally with a right uppercut.

It was one of those damaging blows which caught Ketchel flush on the nose near the close of the third round and started the blood flowing in a stream.

Langford thereafter played for the damaged organ, driving his long left straight to the face repeatedly. This attack seemed to unnerve Ketchel and he swung wildly at times, while Langford was always cool.

Poke in Stomach
As the men rushed to a clinch just as the bell sounded for the close of the fourth round, Ketchel drove a vicious left into Langford’s body, and the colored man’s eyes closed and his mouth opened. He was plainly hurt, but what might have proved a dangerous situation for him was averted by the bell.

Ketchel pursued his usual tactics in forcing the fighting. There was not a moment during the battle that he was not right on top of Langford, never allowing him to get set. This was the part of wisdom, for Langford easily outboxed him.

From the time Langford started the blood flowing from Ketchel’s nose until the final gong, the colored fighter paid particular attention to the sore nose.

Both men missed many blows, and the referee was forced to pull them apart nearly every time they rushed to a clinch.

There was not a mark on either man as they emerged from the ring, but Langford appeared to be the fresher.

Both are Cheered
Langford was the first to appear in the ring. He was accompanied by Young Mississippi, George Byers and George Cole, his seconds. The colored fighter was given a warm reception.

Langford was followed a moment later by Ketchel, who entered the ring with Eddie Baum, Jim Kelly and Nick Muller. Ketchel was cheered to the echo as he crawled through the ropes.

It was 10:23 o’clock when the men came into the ring. They waited until 10:29 for Refereee McGuigan. The referee then called the men to the center of the ring and gave them instructions.

The National Athletic Club was packed to the doors long before the first bout was put on. It was estimated that there was a gate of nearly $20,000. From New York came a special train of six cars.

The principals were early on the scene. Ketchel who came over from Woodlawn yesterday, spent the greater part of the day quietly in his room. In the afternoon he took an automobile ride, and after a light supper, retired for a short nap. He came to the clubhouse a few minutes after 9 o’clock, looking in the best of condition.

Langford remained at his training quarters in Merchantsville, N.J., until late in the afternoon when accompanied by Cole and a retinue of seconds, he was whisked across the country to Philadelphia.

The colored man too, looked to be in perfect trim, and said as much. Cole who had watched after Langford’s training since the Boston man’s arrival here fresh from his victory over Jim Barry in California, said that Langford’s condition was perfect.

Jim Flynn, who came all the way from the Coast, appeared in the ring and formally challenged the winner.

By Rounds
First round – The men advanced cautiously. Ketchel was the first to land with a light left for the wind. Langford missed left and right and Ketchel tapped the colored man on the head. They clinched and in the break Langford landed a light left on the wind. Langford missed repeatedly. Ketchel was forcing the fighting. He landed a left on the wind, and a right to the same place as the bell rang. Not a solid blow was struck.

Second round – Both advanced quickly to the center. Langford tried a _____ for the head. In a hot mix Langford sent two good lefts to the wind and head. Ketchel drove a right to head and again tried to wind. Sam sent a left to the head. Each landed lefts to head, and Ketchel sent a right to wind. Another mix-up and clinches and the referee had to pull them apart. Ketchel landed left to wind as the bell rang. As in round one, Ketchel did the forcing.

Third round – Ketchel started the third round with a left lead to the head but was blocked. Langford jabbed two lefts to the face, then sent Ketchel’s head back with a straight right. Both landed lefts on the wind. Langford jabbed left to the mouth and drove a hard right to wind, and Ketchel sent a left to face and they clinched. Ketchel sent Sam’s head back with a hard left, and repeated the blow a second later. Langford missed a left uppercut and Ketchel drove a hard left to the face. They were clinched at the bell.

On Top of Sam
Fourth round – Up to this time Ketchel had been doing all the forcing. He did not let the colored man get set. Ketchel led left to wind and they clinched. Langford sent two hard lefts to the jaw and Ketchel was more careful. Ketchel drove a hard right to wind. Langford brought the blood from Ketchel’s nose with a stiff left. Sam chopped a hard left to the nose and the blood came from the injured member in a stream. Ketchel sent a hard right to the wind and Langford uppercut a hard one to the chin. This was Langford’s round by a good margin.

Fifth round – Ketchel led with a light left to the face and then sent hard right to the jaw.
Langford again punched the damaged nose started the blood afresh. Sam sent left to face
and Ketchel a right to the body. Both droves lefts to face and Ketchel sent a hard right to
the nose. Ketchel missed a hard uppercut and they clinched. Ketchel landed right on wind
and Langford uppercut to the chin. Langford swung a right as the bell rang, but fell to the
floor.

Sixth round – Langford lifted Ketchel off the floor with an uppercut. Both clinch. Ketchel pounded Langford’s stomach and Langford again started the blood flowing and he slugged Ketchel with the right to the wind. Ketchel was weak and Sam sent his head back repeatedly. Ketchel was weak on his legs and they clinched repeatedly. Langford played for the damaged nose and had Ketchel covered with blood when the bell rang.”

 

Billy Hicks was the sporting editor of New York Evening Journal in 1908, if I'm not mistaken. From what I read, Evening Journal voted for Ketchel, so it must have been him.
Bob Edgren of NY Evening World voted for Ketchel, same as Harry Cashman of New York American, also New York World, New York Globe, New York Evening Mail, and United Press. Not sure though whether the Globe and the Mail had their own reporters or re-printed a wire.
Philadelphia Inquirer, Joltum Bigmytt of New York Evening Telegram, and Western Union wire voted for Langford.
Philadelphia North American, Philadelphia Press, New York Sun, New York Press, New York Morning Telegraph voted a draw. Not sure about Telegraph, whether it had its own report.

 

November 4, 1916. Syracuse Herald. R.Edgrens Column
“New York, Nov. 4 – It isn’t often that Sam Langford takes the trouble to write a letter over his own signature. But when he does he says something. Here’s one from Sam:

“Dear Mr. Edgren: I am always glad to see you or any other person giving Stanley Ketchel a boost. He deserved it. Your boost of the late Stanley Ketchel last week read all right excepting the part of it where you said he nearly knocked me out in our six-round rompus in Philadelphia. To be real frnak with you I will say that you are greatly mistaken, for the simple reason that he never had a chance. I could say much more, but rest. Most assuredly I have told you a mouthful. Respectfully yours. “Sam Langford”

Many people will think that Sam has “told a mouthful” in this letter, for many thought Sam’s hands were tied the night he boxed Ketchel. For three rounds he gave Stanley a beating, so that Stanly was badly dazed when he went to his corner after the third. Then in the fourth Ketchel fought like a wild man and caught Langford with terrific swinging blows on body and neck. It was a “rompus” all right – that last 3 rounds. Ketchel never stopped in his headlong attack, and Sam did little but try to avoid the punishment that came his way. He was in worse shape than Ketchel at the end. I’ve never seen Sam cut up in any other fight.

But for all that Sam may have been holding back a K.O. punch. He seems to intimate that he was. Too bad poor Ketchel isn’t alive to give his version of the matter – or fight Langford again.”

 

1910-05-04 The Denver Post (page 10)
BY OTTO FLOTO.

EDGREN ON KETCHEL-LANGFORD FIGHT.

No one will gainsay the fact that Bob Edgren is one of the best judges of the fighting game in America. As there has been considerable argument regarding the recent battle between Ketchel and Langford, the following from one of the letters to the writer may be of interest at this time:

Stanley Ketchel, middleweight champion, whipped Sam Langford decisively last night in Philadelphia. It was a terrific two-round drive at the finish that beat the negro. Nothing could stop or even hinder Ketchel in those last rounds. He was a red-trunked, blood-spattered fury gone mad fighting. At the end Langford, his confident grin wiped out, blood running over his back in a shiny stream from a cut behind his ear, made by Ketchel's good right hand, weary, disheartened, was clinching for his life and trying to hold those arms with which the middleweight champion was delivering such crushing, flail-like blows. In the last round the negro fairly fought off his feet, ran around and around the ring, and whenever he halted a second to stop the slaughter with wild swings and uppercuts Ketchel was on him in a flash, beating him until he ran again and clinched desperately.

 

Best post on this site in a long time by a far!

Where are their weights listed. I couldnt find that unless I missed it in one of the articles.

 

"Where are their weights listed. I couldnt find that unless I missed it in one of the articles."

I thought it was included in one of the articles I posted. I did run across it again yesterday as I was going thru my master Langford document and it said 159 for Ketchel and 178 for Langford.

 

The Washington Post – April 29, 1910:
Titled: Kelly Reviews Fight. “Honest John” Talks About Langford-Ketchel Bout.
“Honest John” Kelly, stakeholder for championship fights between heavyweight seekers for the title when John L. Sullivan was scoring knockouts in the ring, came to this city yesterday with pointed opinions from ringside observation on the Langford-Ketchel fight in Philadelphia.

“The fight was a fine piece of up-to-day pugilistic acting,” declared Kelly. “Of course, there was a sensational finish in which Ketchel was effective. I left New York with the hope of seeing a bout between two fellows with such terrific punching powers that a knockout might happen, even with a previous understanding on the question of supremacy. Langford did all he could to help Ketchel make a showing that would leave the winner of the contest in question.”

“A fight for a big purse on the coasts is responsible for the spectacular side of the bout. Those short, snappy punches tha tLangford has delivered against nearly every man he has met in earnest were held back to permit Ketchel to come forth with his swings.”

From New York and Philadelphia yesterday, there were _____ reports of experts opinions and a majority insisted that Ketchel and Langford realized the possibility of financial returns from a longer bout and traded punches in Philadelphia with their eyes on California battlegrounds.”




A few months after the Philadelphia episode, Ketchel was shot and killed. When Langford heard about the tragedy he drawled, “Poor Steve, he went to his grave thinking he could really lick ol’ Sam.”

In a September 13th , 1913 issue of The Mirror of Life and Boxing World it said “When Sam Langford was recently asked in Boston who he considered the best white man he ever fought he said, “Stanley Ketchel, of course. He was one of the greatest fighters that ever climbed into ring, and it is a pity that he was murdered, for if he had lived he would have defeated all of these ‘white hopes’ that they talk about these days.”

April 30, 1910 – The Washington Post – Langford is Lenient. Experts Claim Negro “Pulls” Punches Against Ketchel. White Man Losing Power. Ed Cole in New York Telegram, Says Ketchel Is Not the Fighter He Was a Year Ago, and Must Take Good Care of Himself – Langford May Met “Assassin” on Coast in Longer Mill.
“Following out the opinion of “Honest John” Kelly regarding the Ketchel-Langford fight, as published exclusively in The Post yesterday morning the New York Herald prints this:
“Few close judges of boxing who can tell the difference between sincere fighting and shamming thought that Sam Langford, the Boston negro, did his best in his six-round engagement with Stanley Ketchel Wednesday night. If there were parts of the bout that made sharp-eyed spectators skeptical, Langford’s conduct in the sixth round convinced them that the negro had no intention of doing anything else except letting Stanley stay the limit.

At the end of the fifth round Langford had the advantage bya substantial margin. He showed that he could hit Ketchel any time he pleased, and at the same time parry his rival’s fast leads. He gave flashes of what he could do by occasionally dodging in and out, landing blow after blow, while Ketchel was so confused with these tactics that he could only blindly swing.

Then came the sixth, when Ketchel made his theatrical stand and Langford pulled his punches. Sam simply refused to fight, and let Ketchel rush him all over the ring. This was the sensational rally of Ketchel. Langford was by no means the only party to the holding. Several times, especially in the first two rounds, Ketchel hesitated and then held back swings that might have caused damage.

It probably will not be long before the combatants will be matched to fight a long distance battle on the Pacific Coast.”

Ed Cole, in the New York Telegram writes:
“Seems to be a difference of opinion in regard to the outcome of the fight between Stanley Ketchel and “Sam” Langford.

There are shads of differences, from wild enthusiasm over Ketchel’s “victory” to a dispassionate analysis of the fight by a staid Quaker expert, who gives the result to Langford.

I side with the gentleman from Philadelphia. The negro outpointed Ketchel in the early part of the fight and if he had sailed in and tried to finish Ketchel the chances are that he might have put him out.

One thing is certain – Ketchel was very anxious to ascertain after the fight was over what folks thought about it and undoubtedly put forth every ounce that he had in him in the sixth round, hoping to make up for any deficieincies which he had shown prior to then.

In the description of the fight by rounds, even by those who favor Ketchel, I can’t see anything but Langford all the way through, until it comes to the last round, where the white man is supposed to have made that terrific assault which took Langford off his feet and saved Stanley’s bacon.

Ketchel is not the fighter he was a year ago. More than that, he is not likely to be the fighter that he was a year ago unless he takes the berst of care of himself from now on and settles down to the business of fitting himself for the ring, and not for a speedy termination of his career as a boxer.

Ketchel can punch some, but he has lost his cleverness. He never was as clever as some of the men whom he whipped, but he was considerably more clever than he proved himself to be in his match with Langford.

In a finish fight – well, that’s another story, and perhaps there would have been no chance to give it to Ketchel. He can’t afford to celebrate on the strength of this battle. If he is going to make any good matches for the future, it will be hard work for him after this, and the quicker he gets to it and the longer he sticks to it the better.”

April 30, 1910 – It was reported by W.W. Naughton that a forty five round contest for a purse of $30,000
had been agreed to between former heavyweight champion Tommy Burns and Sam to take place in San Francisco before the Metropolitan Athletic Club. The Police Gazette reported the same thing in August. (This fight never took place)

5/2/1910 – Evening World
Ketchel – Langford Offered Big Purse.
Louis Blot, California Fight Promoter, Will Give Them $25,000 for 45-Round Bout.
By John Pollock
“Billy McCarney of Philadelphia, who is the Eastern representative of several fight clubs of California, arrived in town today for he purpose of arranging a battle between Stanley Ketchel and Sam Langford to take place either in June or July in California. McCarney received a telegram from Louis Blot, manager of the Metropolitan A.C. of San Francisco, requesting him to make Ketchel and Langford an offer of a $25,000 purse for a forty-five round bout. McCarney is to meet the managers of the fighters today to talk over the match. “

5/4/1910 – Evening World
Sam Langford Makes $24,000 In Four Fights.
He Saves His Money and Buys Many Houses in Boston. By John Pollock
“Sam Langford, the colored pugilist, is a fortunate fighter. He is getting the money at present hand over fist. Since the beginning of the year Sam has made $24,000 out of fights, having played to $52,000 in the three battles he fought in California, two of which were with Jim Flynn and one was with Jim Barry. Joe Woodman, his manager, told the writer last night that Sam is saving his money and is the owner of several houses just outside of Boston. Langford’s next battle will be with Al Kubiak for ten rounds at the Fairmont, A.C. on May 17.”

“Billy McCarney, who offered Sam Langford and Stanley Ketchel a $25,000 purse to meet for in a forty-five round fight in San Francisco, were unable to get the managers of the men to accept his offer. Wilson Mizner, who looks after Ketchel’s interests, and Joe Woodman informed McCarney that they could get a bigger offer for the battle.”

 

All interesting but disputing opinions on that long ago fight in April,1910.
Two points I wish to make that is not in dispute.
1-Stanley Ketchell was about 15-20 pounds LIGHTER than the burley
light heavyweight Sam Langford. A BIG handicap !
2- It was known by 1910 that Ketchel was ruining his health by opium and a dissipating lifestyle and was on the skids ,and had to recover his health
by stopping boxing and consequently went to a farm owned by his friend Col.Dickerson to avert a physical and mental breakdown. And that was where Ketchel met his Waterloo in the form of a bullet in his back.
So what would have occured if a prime Ketchel of 1908, hooked up with Sam Langford at 160 pounds ? That is the question I believe....
Dickerson to