Where do you rank Sam Langford p4p?

Question

I have him at no. 1 just based on all the Hall of Fame fighters he beat from lightweight all the way up to heavy:

Lightweights:
Joe Gans- was vastly more experienced. Sam faced Joe and Blackburn in his first full year as a pro,

Jack Blackburn

Welter:
Joe Walcott- a draw. Also more experienced than Sam

Middle:
Stanley Ketchel- Sam actually CARRIED the great Ketchel for 6 rounds. How's that for amazing? I have the nespaper account.

Tiger Flowers- KO 2

Lightheavy:
Philadelphia Jack O'Brien- KO 5

Kid Norfolk- KO 2

Heavy:
Jack Johnson- L 20. Sam was outweighed by 29 lbs and had much less experience. Johnson only fought him once. That says something when you consider JJ faced all the other great black fighters numerous times.

Joe Jeanette- said Sam was better than Johnson

Harry Wills- said Sam was best he ever faced.

Sam McVea

George Godfrey

Don't know if Wills or Godfrey are in the HOF, but both were top at heavy .Sam had 130 KOs in 130 victories

Answer 1

HE IS A HALL OF FAME FIGHTER. IF YOU TALKING ABOUT ALL-TIME RANKING AT HY WT, I WOULD PUT HIM BETWEEN 15 AND 20.

Answer 2

The blogbaba ranks Langford among the best of his era, but I have to tell you, Langford beat Gans a day and a half after Gans fought a prior match. Gans spent most of the following day on a train going to the Langford match, it was the second fight in two days. When you consider Gans was a natural light weight, and Langford fought all the way up to heavyweight, you get the picture. I take nothing away from Langford, beating Harry Wills alone is a worthy accomplishment, let alone all his other listed credentials, he is clearly one of the greats.

Pound for pound I consider Langford one of his era's best, but maybe in the top twenty five all time. I would have to give some serious though to boxing's all time top ten, I certainly do not rank Sam Langford above Joe Gans, that would be the equivalent of ranking Joey Maxim above Sugar Ray Robinson. Langford was very good, even great by some standards, but not in boxing's all time pound for pound top ten.

Answer 3

In my book the immortal Sam Langford has always been Number 1. He could have been the first to win titles from lightweight to heavyweight. That's by beating the best men who were great champions in their respective divisions. Awesome.

Yes, Joe Gan's did fight him after a previous engagement but that's how boxing was conducted in those days. You fight regularly and often just to make ends meet. Lets also consider that it was his first year in the pro ranks. Was there ever a rematch with any of these champions with the title on the line. No. something else to think about too.

No 1 sits fine with me. Until I hear otherwise nothing changes. He was simply a great champion in any division.