Sam Langford

Infobox Boxer
name = Sam Langford
| nationality = flagicon|Canada Canada


realname = Sam Langford
nickname = Boston Tar Baby
height = height|ft=5|in=7
weight = Heavyweight
birth_date = birth date|1883|3|4
birth_place = Weymouth, Nova Scotia
death_date = Death date and age|1956|1|12|1883|3|4
home = Cambridge, Massachusetts
style = Orthodox
total = 314
wins = 200
KO = 130
losses = 47
draws = 46

Sam Langford (March 4, 1883 - January 12, 1956) was an African Canadian boxing standout of the early part of the 20th century. Called the "Greatest Fighter Nobody Knows," by ESPN. [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blackhistory2007/news/story?id=2755803] Langford was originally from Weymouth Falls, a small community in Nova Scotia, Canada. He was known as the "Boston Bonecrusher", "Boston Terror" or by his most infamous nickname the "Boston Tar Baby," Langford stood only 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) and weighed 185 lb (84 kg) in his prime.

Professional career

Langford was a boxer who fought greats from the lightweight division right up to the heavyweights, beating many champions in the process. However, he was never able to secure a world title for himself. The primary reason for this was that heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, after winning their first match, repeatedly refused rematches against Langford, who was considered by some to be the most dangerous challenger for Johnson's crown, although Johnson cited Langford's inability to meet his $30,000 appearance fee. Despite the fact Langford never received his rightful chance at the heavyweight title because of Jack Johnson's refusal to risk his crown against Langford, Ring magazine founder Nat Fleischer rated Langford as one of the ten best heavyweights of all time.

Langford's most memorable fights were his numerous encounters against fellow Black boxers Sam McVey, Battling Jim Johnson and Joe Jeanette, who all experienced similar barriers in their fighting careers. Langford fought Harry Wills on 22 separate occasions. Langford defeated lightweight champion Joe Gans in 1903, drew with welterweight champion Joe Walcott in 1904, lost to future world heavyweight champion Jack Johnson in 1906, and knocked out former light-heavyweight champion Philadelphia Jack O'Brien in 1911, with scores of contender fights in between. His last fight was in 1926, when his failing eyesight finally forced him to retire.

In 1923, Sam Langford fought and won Boxing's last "fight to the finish" for the Mexican Heavyweight title.

Films exist of Langford fighting Fireman Jim Flynn and Bill Lang. One story characterizing his career involved Langford walking out for the 8th round and touching gloves with his opponent. "What's the matter, Sam, it ain't the last round!" said his mystified opponent. "Tis for you son," said Langford, who promptly knocked his opponent out. (The only biography ever written about Langford was published in May of 2008. It is titled 'Sam Langford, Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion'. It's available on Amazon.com or a signed or inscribed copy can be ordered from www.samlangford.com)

Life After Boxing

Langford eventually went completely blind and ended up penniless, living in Harlem, New York City. In 1944, a famous article was published about his plight and money was donated by fans to help Langford. Eventually funding was obtained to pay for successful eye surgery.Langford was enshrined in the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1955. He died a year later in Cambridge, Mass., where he had been living with his daughter's family.

External links

* [http://cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/box7-99.htm#tc Cyber Boxing Zone]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8577 Find a Grave]
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* [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blackhistory2007/news/story?id=2755803 The greatest fighter almost nobody knows]
* [http://coxscorner.tripod.com/langford.html Profile on Langford by Monte Cox]