How do you view the matches between Langford and Wills?

[Dr. Z]

How do you view the matches between Langford and Wills? And who would have the better chance vs. Joe Louis?

[JAB5239]

How do you view the matches between Langford and Wills? And who would have the better chance vs. Joe Louis?

Langford was past it for most of them, but I think they're pretty evenly matched. Wills the better heavyweight all time based on his resume.

Against Liuis I give Langford the advantage. Louis never had problems with big guys slower than him and I don't think hed have any problem with Harry. Sam on the other hand was fast, could get inside and had other worldly power. Do I think he beats Louis? My first instinct is to say yes. But who can really tell?

[billeau2]

Langford was past it for most of them, but I think they're pretty evenly matched. Wills the better heavyweight all time based on his resume.

Against Liuis I give Langford the advantage. Louis never had problems with big guys slower than him and I don't think hed have any problem with Harry. Sam on the other hand was fast, could get inside and had other worldly power. Do I think he beats Louis? My first instinct is to say yes. But who can really tell?

Louis fought Marciano, who was a premier pressure guy, but of course Louis was past it. I was going to next post "However Sam was a different type of pressure fighter than Marciano" and then I asked myself "Darrell, really?" See the thing is, when it all comes down to it, Sam had God given, even perhaps Roy Jones level, natural abilities but alas, it seems to me he won like Marciano, like Lamotta, like Armstrong won their matches. I do think this is a tough match for the Brown Bomber. He has the pressure to deal with and the power, which was Sam's other asset. Sam would not sit outside Louis and chase him... He would be attacking constantly, wearing Louis down. Could Louis catch him? Only God knows and he ain't tellin' At least not yet... though I do suspect that while many passing to the other side have things like a life review and what not, God might have a soft spot for fight fans and with a benevolent wink say "Hey wanna see a tape of Greb? wanna know who wins between Louis and Ali?

Regarding Wills he has to be one of my favorite boxing personalities. He was Apollonian in his approach to a game frequented by devotees of Dionysus, the wild wine man. He had talent for sure, but I find it hard to fathom any deep seated ability as compared to guys like Dempsey and Langford... I think Sam is just too much for him.

[Willie Pep 229]

Langford was past it for most of them, but I think they're pretty evenly matched. Wills the better heavyweight all time based on his resume.

Against Liuis I give Langford the advantage. Louis never had problems with big guys slower than him and I don't think hed have any problem with Harry. Sam on the other hand was fast, could get inside and had other worldly power. Do I think he beats Louis? My first instinct is to say yes. But who can really tell?

How do you know that Langford was fast and could get inside?

There is; as far as I know, one film of him fighting, I believe McVea. What you can see is that both men are very strong. But most, if not all of the fight was the two men lunging at each other with pretty primitive styles.

[Dr. Z]

How do you know that Langford was fast and could get inside?

There is; as far as I know, one film of him fighting, I believe McVea. What you can see is that both men are very strong. But most, if not all of the fight was the two men lunging at each other with pretty primitive styles.

No, there is no film of Langford fighting McVey. No flim if Wills fighting Mcvey fighter! Langford can be seen on film vs Flynn and Lang, and later in life via interview.

[Willie Pep 229]

No, there is no film of Langford fighting McVey. No flim if Wills fighting Mcvey fighter! Langford can be seen on film vs Flynn and Lang, and later in life via interview.

Can you point me to the Flynn and Lang videos?

[Willow The Wisp]

No, there is no film of Langford fighting McVey. No flim if Wills fighting Mcvey fighter! Langford can be seen on film vs Flynn and Lang, and later in life via interview.

You must have watched 1913 Langford vs Jeanette


Not primitive by no means IMO.

[Dr. Z]

Can you point me to the Flynn and Lang videos?

Search you tube. Langford shows quick hands, ( a good 74" reach for his height ) excellent power, good stamina, and a soild chin as he was rarely stoppped never stopped in his pirme. He had a good hook, right hand and uppercut! A top 10 all time heavy up to 1960. He could beat many larrger men.His footwork and defense are just so-so. My $.02

[Slugfester]

The only thing I seem to recall, after comparing them a long time ago, is that Sam did better early in their series when he was not old and shot. Anyone would expect that. But anytime a man Lanford's size can whip a heralded boxer of Wills's size, it gives me pause, and I have to reevaluate somewhere. After that, I think my respect for Sam went up and for Wills went down a little. Wills's greatest claim to fame, I believe, is that he could not get a fight with Dempsey. Not a strong claim for greatness. Maybe he was great anyway. That I do not feel qualified say.

[QueensburyRules]

- - Louis beats both, but both capable of an upset.

Sam vs Harry started off legit as Harry the young gun held the advantage over near blind Sam, but then Sam knocked him cold.

They kept fighting because the public couldn't get enough of them as the last of the old guard, but likely the fights were staged where the punches were real, but not hurtful knowing Harry was gonna win anyway.

What, over 20x? It's a great story because they played a system stacked against them and came out much more respected than Jack Johnson.