Sam Langford

Sam Langford was one of the best fighters in the world. When only a welterweight he was beaten by Jack Johnson,a heavyweight, but gave Johnson such a bruising fight that Johnson never would meet him again when Sam grew up. Langford should have been heavyweight champion for at his best there is little doubt he could have beaten Johnson if given a chance. He was wonderfully built —a squat Hercules — was lightning fast, a tremendous hitter, game as they make 'em, and as fine, clean, sportsmanlike a fighter as ever lived.

Sam was still boxingaround when age had ''grabbed him" and for many years he had been blind in one eye and nearly blind in the other. Half blind, fat and long past his best fighting days, he was still good enough to knock out big Harry Wills twice, in 14 rounds in 1914 and in 19 rounds in 1916. This was when Wills was young, fast and at his best. He fought about ten no-decision fights with Wills, and wasn't decisively beaten by Wills until 1918, when Sam had been fighting sixteen years. Wills then stopped Sam in six rounds. At that time Sam couldn't see well enough to avoid a punch. But the game old veteran continued fighting. After that he won the championship of Mexico and knocked out Battling Gahee, Jamaica Kid, big George Godfrey and a few more.

One of the best of all time for me.