Sam Langford vs. Evander Holyfield, 15 rounds at CW, official poll.

This is what I am thinking here. What the **** is anyone basing their opinion on here? From what I have heard there is very limited footage around. I haven't seen Langford fight either, but looking at his record and the fact that he fought almost 100 years ago, I would without a doubt go with Holyfield in this one. If you don't think boxing has progressed as a sport within 100 years you are dreaming.

 

It hasnt.

It has changed as the rules have changed.

Nothing more.

 

When you watch boxing do you do so with your eyes closed? I find enjoying both the visual and the audio simultaneously makes for a more accurate analysis of the fight. Seriously, there are an abundance of technical flaws. Sloppy footwork, open defense, combinations and counters not being thrown with as much power or speed ect. The only way to prove it is through simle judgement and logic however. I can't change what you make yourself see.

 

A lot of the early footage is more misleading than informative because the timing is shot to hell. Any fighter would look clumsy with that kind of camera.

Now methods have certainly evolved for want of a better word but what is good practice in a 12 round bout might get you killed in a 45 round bout fought with 4 oz gloves.

 

Another factor that is either overlooked or not considered is this:
the oldtime fighters usually were men that worked at very hard
manual labor - maybe for 12 hours a day back then. So, these
fighters were hardened by their lifes labors.

As for Langford, I haven't seen footage of Langford, but I've read
numerous items about him.

If Langford was NOT that great as some posters would suggest,
then where does that put Dempsey in the rankings. Dempsey
opted out of a fight with Langford.

Another point - Dwight Quawi gave Holyfield a hell of a fight in their
first fight. Quawi was about the same height as Langford.
Though, I believe that Langford was a much harder puncher than
Quawi.

Langford KO13 Holyfield.

Grebfan9
www.firstroundboxing.com

 

You don't think Tyson hit harder than Qawi?

 

I voted for Evander by decision, however suggesting he'd win in one round is laughable

 

People one hundred years ago were just as alive as we are now. We must respect historical accounts or else throw away our past.

Sam Langford is described as an extraordinary fighter: great power, excellent defense, high accuracy, a very sturdy chin, an exceptional boxer/puncher with very good stamina. This grouping of qualities in one fighter is very rare even after a century of pugilism. Langford's career spanned 22 years, from featherweight to heavyweight, during which he got the best of such greats as Joe Gans, Joe Jeannette and Sam McVey, and twice knocked out 6'2, 215-pound Harry Wills. He was every bit the warrior Holyfield was. None other than Jack Johnson refused to give him a rematch.

It would be extremely arrogant to become dogmatic about a fantasy fight between two men from such different circumstances, but the record indicates Sam Langford was one of the greatest fighters of all time, who measures up well against any man, particularly a pre-roided-look, cruiser Holy.