Langford v Wlad?

Really? Wow. Im very impressed by Langford. He reminds a little of Tyson. He moves in, slipping punches and using his head to create openings to counter. I definately think he was something special.

I see a lot in Johnson too. I dont like his style but I think he would be difficult for anyone. Like old Bernard Hopkins (not young Hopkins) he is a master at nullifying another fighters strengths, slowing down the fight to whatever pace he wants, and pilling up points and punishment. Its not pretty but its effective. Watch his fight with Willard though. He shows in that fight that hes a fighter. He at every disadvantage except experience and he takes the fight to Willard constantly. No, I think Johnson was a fine fighter.

 

For once I totally agree with you.

They don't make fighters like Johnson, Langford or Dempsey for that matter anymore.

Lost skills developed by men born during the toughest of times.

 

How many good giants did Sam Langford beat ?
People talking about Harry Wills, who was possibly the size of David Haye, who was dwarfed by Wlad Klitschko.


Langford was 5'7. Klitschko is 6'6.
Ok, size isn't everything, but Klitschko is a great fighter. He'd destroy Langford.

I think a better question is would Langford have beat Jess Willard ? I'm not at all sure he would have.

 

Mismatch. Wald via tko.

 

Wlad is a terrible match for Sam ... way too big, excellent jab and huge reach advantage ... he jabs him silly and likely stops him ...

Even guys up to 210 or so could not stand and trade w Sam and survive but the heavyweight boxers could use their reach and simply be too big .. let's remember , the guy could have stayed at 160 if he was motivated to ...

 

Really??

How about Louis, Liston, Ali, Foreman, Holmes, Tyson, Bowe, Lewis? Those guys would give him plenty of trouble, I think. But a small man like Sam? No, I'm sorry, I just can't see it.

No matter how great you are (and p4p Langford is of course in a different league), you just can't give away that much in height, reach and weight - unless your opponent is a complete bum (which Wlad isn't!).

 

It doesn't matter, most of those later matches was like a travelling performance act. Some were no less than two days apart with articles noting that it didn't even look like they were trying or just rough sparring matches. I wouldn't read much into them.

 

So you're saying that Langford was more an entertainer than a real boxer and his fights were like the WWE; so we really shouldn't read that much into his record?

 

Wow, that's not what I said at all. My post was specific to later Langford/Willis pairings, and you somehow read into that as me throwing the man's entire career under the bus. Are you deliberately trolling me or something?

 

Langford much better overall,but maybe Klitschko would be too big.

 

Who, me?