Jack Johnson vs. Sam Langford (Redirected from Fight:19126) 1906-04-26 : Jack Johnson 185 lbs beat Sam Langford 156 lbs by PTS in round 15 of 15 Location: Lincoln A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA Referee: Martin Flaherty Two and a half years before the start of Johnson's legendary reign as World Heavyweight Champion, he met Sam Langford at the Lincoln Athletic Club in Chelsea, Massachusetts in defense of his "colored" portion of the heavyweight crown. Johnson, who had met the best heavyweight contenders (compared to the 156 lbs Langford, who had just recently started fighting heavyweights), dominated the bout and won by a lopsided fifteen-round decision. However, Langford's manager, Joe Woodman, told everyone who would listen that Langford floored the "Galveston Giant" with a right uppercut and gave him a tremendous battle. Woodman's account persisted for years, which offended Johnson greatly and prompted him to issue a series of vehement denials. In an open letter to The Ring in 1934, Johnson wrote: “I have accounts of the fight from my dear old friend, Tad (legendary sports writer and cartoonist Tad Dorgan), which show how badly Sam Langford was whipped. Please note the account of our fifteen-round fight at Chelsea, Mass., which I am enclosing. The report shows that I gave poor Sam such a severe trimming that he had to find his way into a hospital to recuperate. The records of that fight prove that statement to be correct." In 1945, Joe Waterman, who believed Johnson was the greatest of all the heavyweight champions, backed up Johnson's account. Waterman stated that he was at the fight and witnessed Johnson dish out a "terrible beating" to the smaller Langford. In his 1958 book, 50 Years at Ringside, Nat Fleischer, founder of The Ring, produced the testimony of his father-in-law, Dad Phillips, who allegedly saw the fight. Said Phillips: “Jack Johnson decisively defeated Sam Langford. He was complete master of the situation. Jack so far outclassed Langford that for a time, until he purposely eased up on his onslaughts, the fight was one-sided." Fleischer once cornered Woodman and good-naturedly demanded the true version of events. According to Fleischer, this was Woodman’s response: “You’ve got me, Nat. Langford never dropped Johnson. But I was anxious to fix up another fight between the two and, knowing Jack’s pride, I invented the story of that knockdown to goad him into the ring against Sam again. Although it never happened, all the newspapermen believed it. They just never took the trouble to investigate. That knockdown was just a publicity gimmick.” This was the only time Johnson ever met Langford in the ring. After Johnson defeated Tommy Burns to win the title, Langford established himself as the leading contender for Johnson's title. However, in spite of many challenges by Langford and his handlers, Johnson never gave Langford a shot at the title. Sources: Pocket Battleship: Sam Langford Newspaper accounts from the day after the fight
, The weights for the fight were estimated ,neither man weighed in.Johnson knocked Langford down twice, for long 9 counts,he also broke his nose. "Jack Johnson handed me the only real whipping I ever took,I take my hat off to him."Sam Langford. When the two men met Langford was the younger man but had engaged in more fights than Johnson. Johnson reneged on a contract he had signed to fight Langford in London whilst he himself was just another challenger . He stated the terms of £3000 were now not commensurate with what a heavyweight champion should expect to receive for a title defence .Johnson announced his price for such a defence was $30,000,the same as Burns had demanded and received for fighting him. Johnson agreed to defend against Langford in the US providing Langford and Woodman his manager were prepared to post a holding bond of $5000 as evidence of good faith both parties to meet at a pre-designated place to conclude matters.Woodman ,on behalf of Langford was unable to stump up the cash for the bond and did not appear. The details of this are in Pollack's book. Johnson later agreed to defend against both Langford and McVey for promoter H D Mcintosh who had promoted and refereed the Johnson v Burns fight.The defences were to be in Australia with Johnson receiving $45,000, plus a % of the film rights, plus 4 round trip tickets. When Johnson skipped bail and fled the US, McIntosh withdrew his offer and made a public statement in the Aussie press explaining why.The statement and other details of these aborted title defences can be found in Adam Pollack's 2nd volume of his Johnson biography" The Reign". Along with this verified information can also be found the two offers for Johnson to defend his title in NY for the McMahon brothers both offers were for $30,000,both were accepted by Johnson,both were withdrawn after enormous pressure was applied by the New York State Boxing Commission, any promoter putting on the fight was threatened with having his licence withdrawn. The Commission ,and the McMahon brothers subsequent statements explaining their actions are there in the book in full detail . The McMahon brothers descendants went on to become big wheels in Wrestling promotion. After his beating by Johnson, Langford undoubtedly improved he added weight and muscle ,so did Johnson. Clay Moyle, the acknowledged expert on Langford believes Langford's best weight to be about 175/180lbs. Moyle also believes that, prime for prime Johnson beats Langford. It is a great pity that they never met when both were prime, but to lay the blame at Johnson's door is neither just ,nor correct.
Great info: "and the McMahon brothers subsequent statements explaining their actions are there in the book in full detail . The McMahon brothers descendants went on to become big wheels in Wrestling promotion." Maybe Johnson got the idea "that he was only shielding his eyes from Havana sun" as related to the Willard Knockout of him for the Hvywt Title.......from the McMahon brothers.
The percentage differences in both height & weight made this an unfair fight. Since both were World Class. Can you imagine a boxing match like this sanctioned today?
Maybe .I'm guessing you, like myself accept that Johnson was legitimately ko'd by Willard after putting up a courageous fight for 26rds. Anyone stating it isn't hot and humid in Havana in April is talking nonsense! I was there this April ,and needing to shower 3 times a day , going out in just a T shirt and shorts, and I was just walking around drinking Crystal beer!
