Via Ken Hissner: Although he has never been a world champion, Sam “The Boston Bonecrusher” Langford is possibly the most feared boxer to many. Two of them are heavyweight champions Jack “The Manassas Mauler” Dempsey and Jack “The Galveston Giant” Johnson.
Langford’s record is 178-30-38 with 126 saves. 5:07 Boxers start at light and progress to heavyweight. He was born in Weymouth, Nova Scotia, Canada in March 1883 and died in Boston in January 1956 at the age of 72.
Langford turned professional in April 1902 in Boston. He lost 10-0-7 in the first game. In December 1903, he beat one of the all-time light heavyweights Joe Gans, 136-8-7 when he was 16-1-7, over 15 rounds.
In September 1903, Langford tied in a tie with welterweight champion Joe Walcott, 87-15-17, but did not qualify for a rematch. In April 1906, he lost to Coloured champion and future world champion Jack “Galveston Giant” Johnson, 35-5-6, by 15 rounds. He weighs 156 to 185 of Johnson.
In November 1907, Langford defeated Young Peter Jackson, 75-27-24, considered the Black Middleweight title, whom he had lost in a previous bout.
In May 1909, Langford defeated William “Iron” Hague, 17-1-1, in London, United Kingdom, in what was considered a 158 to 196 British heavyweight title match for the Hague. .
In April 1910, Langford defeated middleweight champion Stanley “The Michigan Assassin” Ketchell, 46-5-3, in a six-round non-title match. In August 1911, he stopped former Philadelphia light heavyweight champion Jack O’Brien, 147-13-25, in five rounds.
Langford retired in August 1926, losing to Brad Simmons, 15-8-2, due to blindness. In the autobiography of former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, he wrote, “There was a man… I wouldn’t fight because I knew he would level me. I fear Sam Langford”.
Langford was inducted into the IBHOF. Ring Magazine is the third greatest boxer of all time. In addition, he ranks among the seventh heavyweights of all time. He is the greatest boxer who has never won a world championship.
Langford has battled the likes of Harry “Black Panther” Wills, 70-9 (56), 18 times, Sam “The Oxnard Cyclone” McVea, 74-14-10 (60), 15 times, Joe Jeannette, 84 -10-9 (69), 14 times and “Fight” Jim Johnson, 27-18-7 (23), 11 times.
