Under 200lb Tournament Round 1: # 5 Sam Langford vs # 28 Eddie Machen

Tough one because it's difficult to say how the eras compare without extensive footage on Langford, Jeannette and McVea.

Based on the Langford-Jeannette film, I think Langford could match up quite well with many later heavyweights. He was obviously not a very big heavyweight but he hit surprisingly hard and knew how to cut the ring off with little effort. Picked off the punches quite well and was difficult to handle in the clinches where he could land those short, damaging hooks. Basically you did not want to deal with him at close range.

Machen was a very good technical boxer who utilized the high guard to great effect. It was difficult to land clean blows on him. Arguably it was the smaller opponents that caused him greater trouble than the bigger ones, as they could match his skill and speed better than big, lumbering heavyweights.

As long as Langford lives up to his reputation, he should take the win here although Machen could take some decision wins in a series.

 

i would go with Langford by decision..Machen is no slouch and.is durable so i see him seeing the final bell..Langford to well rounded and just better in more aspects then Machen..nice scrap though

 

Langford takes a surprisingly close decision.

 

Langford by UD.