Sam Langford: freak of nature who could beat the big men in any era

Ah, the legendary Sandy Ferguson.

 

Janitor says Ferguson was good. Sad thing is, he actually believes it, he's not even messing around.

 

It's hard to believe he went from welterweight all the way to 180 and remained effective at any weight he fought in. A Pound for Pound great without question.

 

As far as uncrowned champs go, he's probably #1 ahead of Burley.

It's a shame he lost to Johnson, and never got a rematch. I think Langford as heavyweight champ would've helped in the acceptance of black fighters to championship status much more seamlessly. Johnson set it back ....way back.

 

Langford's legacy has been lost among Joe average boxing fans because he never had a chance to fight for the lineal heavyweight title.

I agree with SuzieQ49. Langford was a once in a generation type of fighter. He was an attack dog type of fighter with good power, good skills, remarkable durability, excellent stamina, and a rare heart for boxing. Though Sam only stood about 5'7", he had the frame to properly carry over 180 pounds, and arm span of a man who was over 6 feet tall. Langford had the build of an NFL running back.

I'm not sure if Langford if I would pick Langford to defeat, Wlad, but he certainly could. Later in his career, Langford had enough to knock out two other larger sized hall of fame heavyweights. He basically split with Wills until old age and many wars took their toll on Langford. Langford capped modern sized heavyweight George Godfrey twice inside of two rounds.

Towards the end of his career, Langford vision badly deteriated, yet despite the handicap he still won some significant matches.

 

How would Sam do against the great Joe Louis?

 

I think that Langford is probably the best uncrowned champ ever , but I have Bivins at 2 and Burley number 3 . I still think Louis would beat Langford though

 

Also , Peerless Jim Driscoll was one of the greatest to never win a title

 

Langford had a 44in chest ,which for a man 5 7 is pretty big! Huge wingspan ,shoulders like mountains ,he could take a man out with either hand ,Johnson was fortuanate to get him while he was still maturing ,and of course he had a considerable weight advantage over him,I think Langford was inside the middle limit for that fight ,whereas Johnson was about 182 .Langford proved he could handle the big men ,beating Wills ,and Godfrey,as well as top fighters like Mcvey.He may well be the best fighter ,never to win a crown.

 

Yes I do as perhaps the only person here who has researched him.

He was esentially the Oleg Maskaev of his era. His career was a model of mismanagment and he always found ways to make the situation worse. He had genuine talent and was seen in some parts of the media as the heir aparent to Jeffries title.

He had a gambling problem and lax training habits at times. His financial problems forced him to take multiple back to back fights with the black dynamite crew which ultimately knocked him out of title contention.

He was however the only white contender who fought the black dynamite crew or got anywhere with them in the ring.

 

He would have a good chance.

Against any fighter in any weight class.

That is how good he was.