Matt, thanks for that article. Like probably everyone else, i have never seen it before. Do you know whether or not Jim Barry had any sort of reputation for embellishment? Looking at the time frame, there doesnt really seem too much to be gained by Jim releasing the story. His career looks pretty much finished, and while it does paint langford in a better light (who had stopped Barry) and the two probably were good friends. Of course, on the flip side, it seems that Langford wouldnt have at least hinted at the rumour himself. It would have put enormous pressure on Johnson to fight him, and i doubt Jeffries would have cared, he wasnt fighting again and it would only add to his legacy. In fact, you would think that he would have made mention of it in his own recountings of his career. And by the the way, McVey, thanks for the excellent analysis above and the many awesome clips and news reads you have posted in recent times. I must say, your posting has really stepped up to another level recently.
I agree. Langford is a great pound for pound fighter, but he's too small, and his style plays into some things Jeffries does best. Langford like most of the fighters of the time had the utmost respect for Jeffries. Langfrod, Fitz, Corbett, Dempsey, Burns, even Jack Johnson all called Jeffries the best.