I agree with you about Langford as a puzzle to be assembled. I also think that it's easier to overestimate a fighter in this situation even if you think you have all the peices. I humbly suggest that assembling the picture is only a part of the proccess and that more will be revealed to you over time. As to whether you are right or wrong, I will run with what I have at this moment in time. Ali would beat Langford for three out of three fighting to his own schedule and for three out of three fighting to Wills' schedule. At the very least, the burden of proof is upon you to prove otherwise.
The only way that I could convincingly take you to where I am now would be to write a book like apolacks book on John L Sullivan and have you read it. Whatever conclusion you drew from the book certain key points would probably emerge. You would likley conclude that Langford while being an ofensive fighter was posibly the most inteligent and method orientated fighter ever above 175. You would likley conclude that he was the best finisher in the history of the heavyweight division. You might even wonder whether he lived in Jack Johnsons shadow or vice versa. After you had read it the idea of Langford as a top 10 all time heavyweight might not seem far fetched.
Marciano by mid-late round KO over Langford Langford by SD over Robinson Langford-Moore D 15 Langford by mid-late KO/TKO over Schmeling Langford by close UD over Gibbons Langford by UD over Hagler Louis by early-mid KO over Langford
I dont think he would have a shot against Holyfield. I would install him as a 2/1 favourite over Holyfield.
But you have stated that you cannot pick fights in forsight, why should we consider your analysis of Holyfield-Langford. No insult Janny, just curious as to why you lay down the opinion as if it's the law. Whole different game than talking about factors in hindsight, or reading news clippings from former era's as if they are the end all analysis on the subject. Holyfield KO 1 BTW, I'm laying it down as if it's the law.
I am not laying anything down as if it is the law. I am telling you my opinion. If I were a bookmaker i would make Langford the favourite in order to safequard my livlihood.
"The only way that I could convincingly take you to where I am now would be to write a book like apolacks book on John L Sullivan and have you read it." Hang in there, I've got a full-length Langford biography coming out within the next 3-4 months.
Wow. What a line up of fights. I've only seen 2 langford films. Lang and Flynn 2. On film Langford looks extremely confident and freakishly strong. His punches are wide, but thrown in combinations. In the Lang fight their was a sequence where Langford walked straight to Lang with his hands low giving Lang an inviting target....When Lang attempted to punch...Langford opened up and finished Lang...Those are the traps Janitor was refering to. I think in the book "40 champions tell their stories", Gunboat Smith stated that Langford hit him so hard his shoelaces broke. "He ruined me in that fight" Gunboat said. Here we go. Langford/Marciano- A WAR! I imagine an absolutely brutal fight. I think Marciano comes on later in the fight and takes a MD With neither being the same afterward. Langford/Robinson- I have no idea. Langford is much stronger and dangerous.Robinson is P4P of all time....I guess after feeling Langford's strength, ray would elect to stay away from Langford, piling up pionts but not really stinging Sam with anything. Remember Robinson had a warrior's mentality.. it seemed he would rather fight than box Langford/Moore- this is not getting any easier!!!....Both of these guys are The Ring record book! There is a possibility of Langford catching Archie early, it has happened before...Langford KO3 Langford/Schmeling- Langford KO8 Langford/Gibbons- No clue. Langford/Hagler- Hagler in FAST reverse all fight long (remember Briscoe) with southpaw jab pumping. Hagler UD (Langford will feel he took it by a mile) Okay, let me have it....I'm ready for the rebuttals (I think)
I forgot about The Brown Bomber..... Langford/Louis- If the best Louis that ever entered the ring (Schmeling 2) I'd have to pick Louis, due to the devastating short compact punches he threw. Louis problably gets knocked down, maybe twice....but gets up and finishes Langford in round six.....similar to the Ike Williams/Beau Jack kayo with Jack out on his feet.