Sam Langford

Sam Langford ( born March 4, 1883 in Waymouth Falls, Digby County, Canada, † 12 January 1956 in Cambridge ) was a black Canadians and one of the best boxers in the first years of the 20th century. He fought in the U.S. under the name Boston Tar Baby. Although he could never fight for a world championship, he was elected in 1955 as the first untitled boxer in the Hall of Fame. The magazine " Boxing Illustrated " described him as the best fighter of all time, who did not get a title shot (see also Charley Burley )

Curriculum vitae

At twelve, he ran away from home and worked his way up to Boston. When he was 16, he made ​​his professional debut and won a series of battles, which earned him the name " The Boston Terror" and " Boston Tar Baby". He was at that time 1.70 m tall and weighed almost 62 kg. One and a half years later he was already Joe Gans, the world champion in the lightweight, over and beat him over 15 rounds on points. However, this was not a title fight, which is typical for ending his 21 years career was: Even though he beat many title holder, he won in the U.S. even a single title. His weight allowed him though, to box in the lower classes as a heavyweight, yet risked none of the titleholder his title against him.

In addition, they put in the U.S., after Jack Johnson appeared to become world champion in 1908 and initially invincible for white boxers, no value to another black champion. In the period from 1902 to 1923 Langford fought in nearly 300 battles mostly against larger and heavier opponents. However, he rarely left the ring as a loser; for though he was not tall, he had a long range and could hit hard with both hands.

After three years as a pro was his manager believes that he was ready for the big time of the heavyweight division. He joined a fight against the heavyweight champion of the Black, Jack Johnson, from. Although this in height and weight had significant advantages could strike (84 Kg to 71 Kg ) and Langford during the fight twice, Johnson still had to settle after 15 laps with a points victory. Later he refused as a world champion ( and the whites) from 1908 insistent once again to compete against Langford.

An injury led in 1917 to the fact that Langford blind in the right eye. Nevertheless, he pushed further against the advice of his manager and went blind seven years later completely. The reporter Al Laney, who was researching an article about former boxer who felt him in 1944 in Harlem where he him lonely, impoverished and blind vorfand. He brought former followers to provide a fund that Langford could live in modest comfort until his death.

1990 was Langford induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.