Rare photo of Langford at the Jeffries camp for Johnson

Jeffries noted that some discussed what harm might come to Johnson should he win. “They have pictured the negro as being shot, hanged or mobbed in case he won.” Showing his true sportsmanship and humanity, Jeffries said,

"I would consider any move to intimidate Johnson as cowardly and a disgrace to the American spirit of fair play. It is my honest belief that should Johnson be fortunate enough to win from me that the negro would not only be allowed to walk unmolested from the ring, but that he would be accorded all the honors due to the victor. I want it understood that I want no friend of mine to make a hostile movement towards Johnson. . … If Johnson should by any chance win…he must not be harmed. I demand this."

 

When asked if he ran for political office, if elected, what his policy would be regarding the present race troubles in the South, John L. Sullivan replied,

"When it comes to floggin’ men at night, whether they’re black or white, I’m against it. See? I’d like to go down there on a committee. I’d stop all such foul work. I will not go into a ring with a negro, but, by Jupiter, I wouldn’t stand by and see another white man lick him without reason. No, sir-e-e!"

 

As I said ,you would be better buying Moyle's book.

 

You dont think I already own it? Im disputing that Langford did what you accuse him of. Just look at his record against white men. He knocked out almost every one he faced. He challenged them, trash talked them, and dated white women and prostitutes. Im not sure how that can be construed as an Uncle Tom, which is what you accuse him of.

 

I accuse Langford of nothing .
Who Sam knocked out has no bearing on how he behaved around White people.
If you are looking for an argument on this, look elsewhere.

 

You absolutely accused him of something but whatever. You cant back it up so its best to just move along.

 

Ali was with terrific and accurate in this clip ...

This content is protected

Langford was simply a typical , low key guy ...

 

I can back up anything I post.
Whether I think the recipient of my proof is worth the time it takes me to find those primary sources is another matter.In this case I've decided no.

Edit
After looking at some of your content I have been pleasantly surprised ,so here is a link for you.
Walking in the London streets with Author and reporter James Butler.Butler was surprised to see Sam walking out into the street whenever a party approached them from the opposite direction. Butler pointed out there was no need for him to do this,and he had as much right to walk on the sidewalk as anyone else.
Sam was very surprised by this and remarked,"You really allows colored folks to walk with White people? Why where I come from.you know we're considered nothing but poor black trash ."Pages 68 and 69 Chapter 6 England ,Sam Langford by Clay Moyle,the book you say you own.
Do you think Jack Johnson would ever give the sidewalk to "white folks" ?
I see you are a friend of Steve Compton,I'm not surprised you have the same,"I know better, aggressive ,attitude that got him banned here and elsewhere.

 

Yes but you left out the part where he attributed that to Sam being good natured and happy go lucky in the very next sentence which was my point to begin with and the impression I still have of Langford.

I dont think this makes Langford an uncle Tom in any case. Just like I dont think Jack Johnson being a habitual criminal makes him a freedom fighter.

 

Langford wasn't the arrogant *** that Johnson often was, in fact basically no one else was. Johnson was basically in a whole category by himself in that department.

 

Thats the impression I get. Theres a big difference between kowtowing to racists and just being a decent respectful human being. The sense I get id that Langord would have offered the road to anyone regardless of color or sex. I think the exact opposite is true of Jack Johnson.

 

Correct, Johnson was out for number one himself only.

 

Wow. That actually gives me a little admiration for Jeffries.

How often did those two meet after their fight?

 

Thanks Adam for that valuable information.

The impression I get, and I could be wrong, is that the press exercised extreme free licence in their quoting of fighters - not least Jeffries.

Not being apologetic but for all the racist talk printed on behalf of Jeffries, it doesn’t all gel with his documented personality otherwise -

Probably the definitive, single term that best describes Jeff would be “Taciturn” - and he was also quoted from time to time criticising the press of the day - he was none too impressed with their fabrications.

As it so often happens to today, the media often controls/manipulates the narrative to spice it up and attract a wider audience.

Even the quote of Jeffries, post Reno, saying he could never have beaten Johnson is highly dubious and doesn’t logically hold.

No reason for Jeff to have necessarily said or to have firmly believed that - particularly since he was well past prime and grossly inactive before training for the first FOTC.

A more realistic quote of Jeffries post Reno re a prime vs prime fight was that it would’ve been a lot different than it was on July 4, 1910 -

And, IIRC, I don’t think Jeff actually predicted the outcome of such a fight - simply content to say that it would’ve been much more competitive.

Conversely, given the racial climate and specific accent and symbolism of white vs black in Reno, Johnson himself said that while Jeffries could’ve gotten away with a lot of dirty fighting, he instead actually fought a very clean fight.

 

Hi Buddy.
Interesting stance on Johnson, I view him, and the way he carried and conducted himself as more of a snub to the establishment, and the way he was supposed to " act " and with Langford he maybe, knew his place, both opposite ends of the spectrum, looking back and with the wisdom of hindsight and history, I see Johnson as a trail blazer, a man/fighter who knew his worth, would not be curtailed because his skin was black, certainly would not have stepped off the kerb to let a white person go by, and why should he be expected to, some historians see him as being bad for his race, I see him quite the reverse, he stood up for himself and dared to question, when others of his colour were hanging from trees, a very brave man indeed, he gave his generation spirit, let them see they were not unequal, for me a truly great man and fighter.
stay safe SS, chat soon buddy.
Mike.