In a 1919 interview for the Register, an Ohio publication, when asked who the greatest fighter was,Langford said :Jack Johnson,reminded that he had picked Jeffries to beat Johnson,"didn't you say that Jeffries would beat Johnson?"Sam replied "Yes,yes I did say that, but I was sore at Johnson then.You know he gave me quite a lickin a long time ago in Boston,and when he got to be champion he would never fight me again. I was sore at him but all the time, way down in my heart,I knew that he was a great man. The day I saw him beat Jeffries made me surer.Jeffries was in good shape that day.he never could have taken the licking he did if he wasn't in good form. You know he was just as fast as ever,but he was like a baby when he boxed Johnson. I tell you that Johnson was so big ,so strong,so clever.He had everything,he was never hurt,never had a black eye , or a cut,never broke a hand,and he beat the best in the world.I call that considerable doing. He was never even tired in a fight.He just fought his own way,went about it in a business-like way and made the other fellow look foolish. Hit? Yes sir! I never hit the floor harder in my life than the night he hit me.I thought I'd go right through the floor of the ring". Pretty solid testimonial from the great Langford!
Great quote...contrast that with the dumb sh!t modern athletes say when a microphone is in front of them
I think Johnson had the highest respect for him,they were never friends as Johnson and McVey were, but there was a grudging admiration.
