Sam Langford The Best Fighter Of All Time?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by cotto20, Sep 21, 2009.


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  1. cotto20

    cotto20 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    #16
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Very different.
     
    McGrain, Sep 21, 2009
    McGrain, Sep 21, 2009
    #17
  3. JudgeDredd

    JudgeDredd Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Thanks for the link, was a good read :thumbsup
     
    JudgeDredd, Sep 21, 2009
    JudgeDredd, Sep 21, 2009
    #18
  4. cotto20

    cotto20 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    What are your reasons for Langoford being better than the likes of Robinson, Armstrong, Pep, Greb etc?
     
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    #19
  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Well obviously that's an enormous question with a massive answer, but to keep it short and sweet -

    He beat Gans at 140 and Harry Wills at HW, with greats for every weight division in between. His achievments are so deep in terms of weight class that they render the term "pound for pound" almost meaningless...Sam beat a fighter with a claim for the #1 spot at lightweight and a fighter with a claim for a top 10 spot at HW (I rank Wills #10).

    In terms of success throughout weight classes nobody else really comes close, and only Greb keeps him company. Meanwhile he's got more greats on his ledger than most. He's a monster.
     
    McGrain, Sep 21, 2009
    McGrain, Sep 21, 2009
    #20
  6. cotto20

    cotto20 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    wow, nice post! there are many different reports, what did your hear about the ketchel vs langford fight was like. i heard sam took it easy, but then i hear they had a tear up.
     
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    #21
  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    The story I got was that Langford was in line for a shot at Ketchel's title over 20 rounds, and that he knew he couldn't KO or beat up Ketchel putting that fight in jeopardy. Having said that, I do think Ketchel was an extraordinary fighter.
     
    McGrain, Sep 21, 2009
    McGrain, Sep 21, 2009
    #22
  8. cotto20

    cotto20 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    i agree
     
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    #23
  9. cotto20

    cotto20 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It just amazes me, if given the chances Langford may have been champion from Lightweight to Heavyweight. In his prime some say he was the perfect fighting machine.
     
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    #24
  10. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Nah, not really. He fought the same fighters over and over and over and over. Harry Greb's resume is infinitely better and deeper.
     
    Sweet Pea, Sep 21, 2009
    Sweet Pea, Sep 21, 2009
    #25
  11. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    **** off.
     
    McGrain, Sep 21, 2009
    McGrain, Sep 21, 2009
    #26
  12. cotto20

    cotto20 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You dont know anything about boxing history, he fought the same fighters over again, because he had to. because no one would fight him.

    langford's resume is just as good as greb's.
     
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    cotto20, Sep 21, 2009
    #27
  13. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Sam is certainly in the conversation. The book to which everyone alludes should not be your only source on Sam. It does tend to glorify and give the benefit of the doubt to Sam in all situations. That said, it's a good read. I would just try to do your own research to give it some perspective.
     
    Seamus, Sep 21, 2009
    Seamus, Sep 21, 2009
    #28
  14. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Don't get me wrong, it's a great resume, just nowhere near as deep as I once thought. He has some top names on there, but for the most part he just fought the same men again and again. I was really surprised when I tried to do his part on Manassa's "Records" thread.
     
    Sweet Pea, Sep 21, 2009
    Sweet Pea, Sep 21, 2009
    #29
  15. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I hear you, but your post implies that there is distance between the warm bodies on their resumes. That's bull****. The second string (by which I mean excellent rather than great) fighters are where Greb excells. And the best 10 wins by either man? All ten would probably be Langford in real terms and he's got the best p4p wins in my view, also, though that is closer.

    There canon of wins are comparable and close.
     
    McGrain, Sep 21, 2009
    McGrain, Sep 21, 2009
    #30
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