T.K. Stewart On Boxing
About the Author
T.K. Stewart
An award winning boxing writer, his work has appeared in numerous boxing publications and on the Internet over the past decade. His writing currently appears on maxboxing, boxingscene and FOX Sports Web-sites. Mr. Stewart has won the prestigous Barney Award bestowed by the Boxing Writers Association of America on multiple occasions. Tom resides in the Maine countryside with his wife Rebecca. View my complete profile
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Uncrowned Champion of Books
A month or so or go, I clicked on an e-mail from a gentleman by the name of Clay Moyle who was writing to me from Washington state. Mr. Moyle said he had written a book on an old-time fighter and had entitled it Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion (Bennett & Hastings Publishing, LLC, 430 pages) and he was wondering if he were to send me copy of the book, whether I would be interested in reading it and reviewing it.Being in the boxing business as I am, this sort of request comes my way from time-to-time. However, more often that not, the book that I end up receiving in the mail is sometimes a letdown and a disappointment.
Well, there is no disappointment with Clay Moyle’s work of art on Sam Langford. Mr. Moyle has created a masterpiece with his exquisitely researched, beautifully crafted and perfectly detailed work.Moyle has completely chronicled the life and career of Sam Langford from his birth in Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1886 to his travels around the world as a prizefighter to his life after boxing to the period leading up to his passing in 1956.
Moyle was able to recreate Langford and he takes the reader back in time to the period of Langford’s boxing career that lasted from 1902-1926. The author transports the reader around the world with Sam on a virtual fight-by-fight journey that stretches from Manchester, New Hampshire to Paris, France to Sydney, Australia to Mexico City and all points in between.The author leaves no stone unturned as tells the story of Langford, who toiled away for years in the fight game while never receiving a justly deserved shot at any world boxing title.
Langford was an all-time great who would eventually be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame, although he never received the chance to win a world title because he was a victim of his times - and his skin color. Many of the white champions of the time simply refused to face Langford. And Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion of the world, and the champion for much of Langford’s career, would also not give him a well-earned shot at the championship. What Langford was left with, then, was a career where he barnstormed the United States in search of opposition and recognition. When he beat everyone that would face him in the United States he went to Europe. When he conquered Europe he went to Australia. When he cleaned out the competition on that continent he eventually would become the heavyweight champion of Mexico where he closed out the remaining years of his illustrious and entertaining career.
In turning the pages, it’s as though you are there in the ring with Sam as he fights names of the times such as “Fireman” Jim Flynn, William “Iron” Hague, Dan “Porky” Flynn and Ed “Gunboat” Smith. Moyle even goes into detail, in some instances, about the weather on the nights of fights as well the colors of the fighters’ robes and trunks. Moyle drew upon a plethora of sources to help him uncover Langford’s story which included speaking with Langford’s relatives and acquaintances and scouring the pages of hundreds of newspapers, magazines, book s and journals for the most minute details about Langford’s life and legend. The book is filled with many never before seen photographs as well as a complete accounting of Langford’s boxing career.The entire process allows the reader a behind the scenes glimpse into Langford’s personal life, family affairs and his kind, generous, happy-go lucky personality and comedic, quick-witted sense of humor.
In what some may perceive to be a tragic story of a man being denied the very thing he devoted his life’s effort to – a title shot - the book, upon further reflection, leaves the reader with a warm feeling of having gotten to know Sam Langford, “The Boston Tar Baby.” And despite Langford’s frustrations at having never received a title shot, he did not become a bitter man. Even though he would eventually wind up with little financial resources at the conclusion of his boxing career, Moyle reveals that Langford was a man not necessarily concerned with monetary rewards. For Langford, the simple things that life ultimately gave him, brought him the most satisfaction.Just like Clay Moyle’s remarkable tale of Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion.
To purchase Mr. Moyle's book, visit:www.prizefightingbooks.com www.samlangford.com www.amazon.com
November 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Digby Courier review of Sam Langford book
Boxing Historian Chronicles Career of Sam Langfordby Jeanne Whithead/Digby Courier (Canada) October 23, 2008
"In 1903 at age 17, Sam Langford was a professional boxer, earning purses of hundreds of dollars. When not in the ring, he strolled the streets of Boston wearing fancy clothes and diamonds. Not bad for a boy from the Maritimes, who five years earlier was earning five dollars a month in the woods of Nova Scotia.
Boxing historian Clay Moyle chronicles Langford's career in his 400-page book 'Sam Langford, Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion'.
Nova Scotians will be pleased that the story begins at the beginning - with Langford's birth in Weymouth Falls in 1886. Moyle follows the lad as he runs away from home at age 12 to Digby, then to Grand Manan and on to Cambridge, Mass., as a 15-year old.
After being fired from his job at Cambridge brickyard for fighting during work hours, Langford moved to Boston where he was 'discovered' by flight club owner, Joe Woodman.
Moyle's history is a detailed account of Langford's career as a professional boxer.
Among the highlights: in 1903, Langford defeated lightweight champion, Joe Gans in a 15-round decision. Weighing in at 136 pounds, Langford was four and a half pounds heavier than Gans, and was denied the lightweight title because the lightweight limit was 135 pounds.
Langford was always eager to improve his abilities and he didn't hesitate to ask his opponents for tips that would make him an even better boxer. He took their advice to hear, and progressed from being an untrained 'natural' to being one of the most skilled boxers in the world.
By age 21, Sam Langford, a middleweight, had gone the distance ith highly regarded heavyweight Jack Johnson, and though promoters were keenly interested in having him fight out of their clubs, the best fighters in America steadfastly avoided him.
A married man with expensive tastes, Langford did the only reasonable thing. He sought matches abroad and in 1907 created a sensation in England, returning home $4,600 richer less than three months later. In the years that followed, he also fought in Australia, France, Canada and Mexico.
Even for those who may not be enamored with the boxing world, the Sam Langford book is a pleasurable read. This is because Moyle is a skilled writer - and because we all love stories of little guys who overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams.
A historian, Moyle includes just the fact that he was able to unearth and verify. This means that the book is lacking details of Langford's personal life. That would have made the book more satisfying for the average reader."
"In 1903 at age 17, Sam Langford was a professional boxer, earning purses of hundreds of dollars. When not in the ring, he strolled the streets of Boston wearing fancy clothes and diamonds. Not bad for a boy from the Maritimes, who five years earlier was earning five dollars a month in the woods of Nova Scotia.
Boxing historian Clay Moyle chronicles Langford's career in his 400-page book 'Sam Langford, Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion'.
Nova Scotians will be pleased that the story begins at the beginning - with Langford's birth in Weymouth Falls in 1886. Moyle follows the lad as he runs away from home at age 12 to Digby, then to Grand Manan and on to Cambridge, Mass., as a 15-year old.
After being fired from his job at Cambridge brickyard for fighting during work hours, Langford moved to Boston where he was 'discovered' by flight club owner, Joe Woodman.
Moyle's history is a detailed account of Langford's career as a professional boxer.
Among the highlights: in 1903, Langford defeated lightweight champion, Joe Gans in a 15-round decision. Weighing in at 136 pounds, Langford was four and a half pounds heavier than Gans, and was denied the lightweight title because the lightweight limit was 135 pounds.
Langford was always eager to improve his abilities and he didn't hesitate to ask his opponents for tips that would make him an even better boxer. He took their advice to hear, and progressed from being an untrained 'natural' to being one of the most skilled boxers in the world.
By age 21, Sam Langford, a middleweight, had gone the distance ith highly regarded heavyweight Jack Johnson, and though promoters were keenly interested in having him fight out of their clubs, the best fighters in America steadfastly avoided him.
A married man with expensive tastes, Langford did the only reasonable thing. He sought matches abroad and in 1907 created a sensation in England, returning home $4,600 richer less than three months later. In the years that followed, he also fought in Australia, France, Canada and Mexico.
Even for those who may not be enamored with the boxing world, the Sam Langford book is a pleasurable read. This is because Moyle is a skilled writer - and because we all love stories of little guys who overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams.
A historian, Moyle includes just the fact that he was able to unearth and verify. This means that the book is lacking details of Langford's personal life. That would have made the book more satisfying for the average reader."
Monday, September 22, 2008
Dublin Herald - Sept. 20, 2008 by Pat Myler
BOXING COLOUR BAR CRUELY DENIED LANGFORD HIS JUST REWARD
NOWHERE in the long list of world champions will you find the name of Sam Langford -- and that's nothing short of criminal.
The title of Clay Moyle's long overdue biography, Sam Langford: Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion, says it all.
If justice had been done, the Boston Tar Baby would have won a world title at any weight from lightweight to heavyweight, probably several, but he never got the chance.
One of Sam's problems was that he was a black man in an era of blatant racism in boxing. The other was that he was too good.
He beat lightweight king, Joe Gans, held welterweight champion Joe Walcott to a draw, and took heavyweight legend Jack Johnson the distance in a hard-fought 15 rounder, but they were all non-title fights.
So prevalent was the 'colour-bar that gifted black fighters like himself, Sam McVea, Joe Jeannette and Harry Wills were forced to fight each other over and over again in order to stay active.
The great Jack Dempsey admitted: "There was one man, smaller than me, I wouldn't fight because I knew he would flatten me. I was afraid of Sam Langford."
In a career spanning 23 years, the only title Langford managed to acquire was the relatively meaningless heavyweight championship of Mexico, and by then he was heading for 40 and nearly blind.
American Moyle, a dedicated and respected historian, has done the sport a genuine service with his thoroughly researched, loving written account of a remarkable man and fighter. To find out how to purchase a copy ($35 including postage (to the U.K.) check it out at www.samlangford.com
BOXING COLOUR BAR CRUELY DENIED LANGFORD HIS JUST REWARD
NOWHERE in the long list of world champions will you find the name of Sam Langford -- and that's nothing short of criminal.
The title of Clay Moyle's long overdue biography, Sam Langford: Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion, says it all.
If justice had been done, the Boston Tar Baby would have won a world title at any weight from lightweight to heavyweight, probably several, but he never got the chance.
One of Sam's problems was that he was a black man in an era of blatant racism in boxing. The other was that he was too good.
He beat lightweight king, Joe Gans, held welterweight champion Joe Walcott to a draw, and took heavyweight legend Jack Johnson the distance in a hard-fought 15 rounder, but they were all non-title fights.
So prevalent was the 'colour-bar that gifted black fighters like himself, Sam McVea, Joe Jeannette and Harry Wills were forced to fight each other over and over again in order to stay active.
The great Jack Dempsey admitted: "There was one man, smaller than me, I wouldn't fight because I knew he would flatten me. I was afraid of Sam Langford."
In a career spanning 23 years, the only title Langford managed to acquire was the relatively meaningless heavyweight championship of Mexico, and by then he was heading for 40 and nearly blind.
American Moyle, a dedicated and respected historian, has done the sport a genuine service with his thoroughly researched, loving written account of a remarkable man and fighter. To find out how to purchase a copy ($35 including postage (to the U.K.) check it out at www.samlangford.com
Monday, September 8, 2008
Price break on international orders
As of September 8th, international orders placed on www.samlangford.com will receive a price break on shipping. Int'l shipping charges for orders placed on that website will now only cost $5.05, bringing the total purchase cost to $35.00. This applies only to orders placed via that website.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Review from September 2008 issue of 'Boxing Monthly':
"Boxing Monthly – September 2008
Reviews by John Exshaw
Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion by Clay Moyle, Bennett & Hastings Publishing
More than a bit-part player. Langford was feared and avoided by the leading fighters of his day, including the legendary Johnson. B
In 1917, when heavyweight prospect Fred Fulton found himself matched with an ageing but still dangerous Sam Langford, he sensibly decided to seek advice on how best to defeat the legendary “Boston Tar Baby” from Harry Wills, a fighter who had suffered a couple of early-career losses to Langford but who was no winning their bouts on a regular basis. “The best way,” Wills informed him, “is to take a club and when he ain’t looking just bust him on the head, and when he turns around with ever so much surprise, just bust him again and knock him dead.” “And then?” enquired Fulton. “Nothing,” replied Wills, “only don’t miss the second shot.”
While this may not have been quite the advice Fulton was hoping for, it nicely illustrates the high regard in which the murderous-punching Langford was held by his peers, among whom he seems to have been both liked and feared in equal measure. Long recognized as one of the great fighters, Langford has finally received his literary due in Clay Moyle’s admirable biography, Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion (Bennett & Hastings Publishing, $29.95), which not only succeeds in recounting Langford’s remarkable ring exploits, but also in rescuing him from his recent position as little more than an extra in the Jack Johnson story.
Over the years, of course, one has learned to be wary of accepting at face value claims of supherhuman powers supposedly possessed by fighters in the early days of gloved boxing, claims that often seem to have more to do with myth-making and nostalgia than with any notion of objectivity, to say nothing of possibility. In Langford’s case, however, the evidence is persuasive, not least because so much of it is based on the testimony of his opponents and fellow professionals, rather than that of contemporary newspaper reporters more interested in fiction than fact.
As for his record, it too speaks for itself. In 1903, 20 months after turning professional, Langford decisioned world lightweight champion, Joe Gans, in a non-title bout, and the following year, was considered unlucky when his bout against welterweight champion, Joe Walcott, was ruled a draw. In 1909 and 1910, he twice stopped Walcott’s successor, the “Dixie Kid”, in addition to boxing a no-decision draw with middleweight champ, Stanley Ketchel. At the same time, Langford, who stood only 5 ft 6 ½ inches in height and whose best fighting weight was about 12 stone, also turned his attention to the heavy mob, regularly flattening opponents who outweighed him by as much as two stone. Not for nothing did Jack Johnson remark that “Sam Langford was the toughest little son of a bitch that ever lived.”
Much as been made of the fact that Langford, Joe Jeannette, Sam McVea, (and, later, Harry Wills) were forced into endless round-robin of match-ups between themselves due to the unwillingness – based on either fear, prejudice, or both – of white fighters to face them, but Mr. Moyle’s research reveals a rather more complex picture. After all, it was Jack Johnson himself who denied Langford & Co. a shot at the title, while, with regard to the “white hopes”, there seems nothing particularly remarkable in the fact that then, as now, managers would choose to protect their charges in the hope of a lucrative title shot. Not that there was any doubt in people’s minds about the outcome of any such bouts; as James J. Jeffries put it, “How long do you suppose these fellows would last with Sam Langford? Why, he would just name the round he would knock them out in.” Attempts, particularly by the Australian promoter, Hugh D. McIntosh, to make a Johnson-Langford match, were continually rejected by Johnson who, as Joe Jeannette observed, “beat Sam once, when Sam was only a middleweight, but…wouldn’t have anything to do with him when Sam got bigger and better.”
And so Langford was doomed to engage in a never-ending dance with the same partners (including the suicidally brave – or stupid – white heavyweight, Jim Barry, who, despite 11 beatings from Langford, never stopped trying) until he could dance no more. Though blind and broke, Langford continued to be held in high esteem, living quietly but seemingly contentedly until 1958. Sam Langford, which contains 98 photographs and a ring record, is, it needs hardly be said, an essential requirement for any self-respecting pugilist-specialist-reader, and can be ordered through amazon.com or from www.prizefightingbooks.com. A revised edition, including an index (and hopefully with better punctuation), is apparently in the offing.” (NOTE: The book already includes an index)
"Boxing Monthly – September 2008
Reviews by John Exshaw
Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion by Clay Moyle, Bennett & Hastings Publishing
More than a bit-part player. Langford was feared and avoided by the leading fighters of his day, including the legendary Johnson. B
In 1917, when heavyweight prospect Fred Fulton found himself matched with an ageing but still dangerous Sam Langford, he sensibly decided to seek advice on how best to defeat the legendary “Boston Tar Baby” from Harry Wills, a fighter who had suffered a couple of early-career losses to Langford but who was no winning their bouts on a regular basis. “The best way,” Wills informed him, “is to take a club and when he ain’t looking just bust him on the head, and when he turns around with ever so much surprise, just bust him again and knock him dead.” “And then?” enquired Fulton. “Nothing,” replied Wills, “only don’t miss the second shot.”
While this may not have been quite the advice Fulton was hoping for, it nicely illustrates the high regard in which the murderous-punching Langford was held by his peers, among whom he seems to have been both liked and feared in equal measure. Long recognized as one of the great fighters, Langford has finally received his literary due in Clay Moyle’s admirable biography, Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion (Bennett & Hastings Publishing, $29.95), which not only succeeds in recounting Langford’s remarkable ring exploits, but also in rescuing him from his recent position as little more than an extra in the Jack Johnson story.
Over the years, of course, one has learned to be wary of accepting at face value claims of supherhuman powers supposedly possessed by fighters in the early days of gloved boxing, claims that often seem to have more to do with myth-making and nostalgia than with any notion of objectivity, to say nothing of possibility. In Langford’s case, however, the evidence is persuasive, not least because so much of it is based on the testimony of his opponents and fellow professionals, rather than that of contemporary newspaper reporters more interested in fiction than fact.
As for his record, it too speaks for itself. In 1903, 20 months after turning professional, Langford decisioned world lightweight champion, Joe Gans, in a non-title bout, and the following year, was considered unlucky when his bout against welterweight champion, Joe Walcott, was ruled a draw. In 1909 and 1910, he twice stopped Walcott’s successor, the “Dixie Kid”, in addition to boxing a no-decision draw with middleweight champ, Stanley Ketchel. At the same time, Langford, who stood only 5 ft 6 ½ inches in height and whose best fighting weight was about 12 stone, also turned his attention to the heavy mob, regularly flattening opponents who outweighed him by as much as two stone. Not for nothing did Jack Johnson remark that “Sam Langford was the toughest little son of a bitch that ever lived.”
Much as been made of the fact that Langford, Joe Jeannette, Sam McVea, (and, later, Harry Wills) were forced into endless round-robin of match-ups between themselves due to the unwillingness – based on either fear, prejudice, or both – of white fighters to face them, but Mr. Moyle’s research reveals a rather more complex picture. After all, it was Jack Johnson himself who denied Langford & Co. a shot at the title, while, with regard to the “white hopes”, there seems nothing particularly remarkable in the fact that then, as now, managers would choose to protect their charges in the hope of a lucrative title shot. Not that there was any doubt in people’s minds about the outcome of any such bouts; as James J. Jeffries put it, “How long do you suppose these fellows would last with Sam Langford? Why, he would just name the round he would knock them out in.” Attempts, particularly by the Australian promoter, Hugh D. McIntosh, to make a Johnson-Langford match, were continually rejected by Johnson who, as Joe Jeannette observed, “beat Sam once, when Sam was only a middleweight, but…wouldn’t have anything to do with him when Sam got bigger and better.”
And so Langford was doomed to engage in a never-ending dance with the same partners (including the suicidally brave – or stupid – white heavyweight, Jim Barry, who, despite 11 beatings from Langford, never stopped trying) until he could dance no more. Though blind and broke, Langford continued to be held in high esteem, living quietly but seemingly contentedly until 1958. Sam Langford, which contains 98 photographs and a ring record, is, it needs hardly be said, an essential requirement for any self-respecting pugilist-specialist-reader, and can be ordered through amazon.com or from www.prizefightingbooks.com. A revised edition, including an index (and hopefully with better punctuation), is apparently in the offing.” (NOTE: The book already includes an index)
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Book photograph discrepancies
There are a few discrepancies pertaining to photographs that are in need of explanation. First on page 336 there is a photo of Sam as a younger man. The caption identifies the picture as being from 1912 in Australia. This is clearly in error as he is much younger. The caption will be revised to say "Undated" and moved to an early grouping of photos in a 2nd printing.
On page 172 there are two photographs of Sam fighting against Jim Barry. Both are identified as April 14, 1910, but Barry is clearly wearing different color and lengths of shorts in the two photos, so one is obviously dated incorrectly. After further investigation I have determined it is the photo on the bottom that is incorrect. That one will be revised to say "undated" for a 2nd printing.
On page 399 there is a photo of Sam's headstone that indicates he was born in 1883. On the first page of the opening chapter I indicate that he was born on March 4th of 1886. The reasons I settled on 3/4/1886 as his correct birthdate include the following:
His manager, Joe Woodman, said that at one point he investigated the issue himself and located Sam's birth certificate and that it confirmed 3/4/1886 as the correct date.
In a series of articles published in 1924 Sam identifies 3/4/1886 as his date of birth. (Source: Halifax Herald, August 12, 1924)
Throughout the book the reader will find Sam making references to his age at different stages of his career and those coincide with a birth year of 1886.
I have a copy of an 1891 census that identifies Sam as being 6 years of age at that time. (Now that could also point to 1885 as a birthdate, but in any case it certainly confirms 1886 more than 1883.
I have another document titled 'Descendants of Charles Langford' that gives a birthdate of March 6, 1886 for Sam.
Another document titled 'Children of Robert Langford and Charlotte Robert' lists their children and gives March 6, 1886 as Sam's birthdate.
On page 172 there are two photographs of Sam fighting against Jim Barry. Both are identified as April 14, 1910, but Barry is clearly wearing different color and lengths of shorts in the two photos, so one is obviously dated incorrectly. After further investigation I have determined it is the photo on the bottom that is incorrect. That one will be revised to say "undated" for a 2nd printing.
On page 399 there is a photo of Sam's headstone that indicates he was born in 1883. On the first page of the opening chapter I indicate that he was born on March 4th of 1886. The reasons I settled on 3/4/1886 as his correct birthdate include the following:
His manager, Joe Woodman, said that at one point he investigated the issue himself and located Sam's birth certificate and that it confirmed 3/4/1886 as the correct date.
In a series of articles published in 1924 Sam identifies 3/4/1886 as his date of birth. (Source: Halifax Herald, August 12, 1924)
Throughout the book the reader will find Sam making references to his age at different stages of his career and those coincide with a birth year of 1886.
I have a copy of an 1891 census that identifies Sam as being 6 years of age at that time. (Now that could also point to 1885 as a birthdate, but in any case it certainly confirms 1886 more than 1883.
I have another document titled 'Descendants of Charles Langford' that gives a birthdate of March 6, 1886 for Sam.
Another document titled 'Children of Robert Langford and Charlotte Robert' lists their children and gives March 6, 1886 as Sam's birthdate.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Sept. 1904 Welterweight Title Fight with Joe Walcott
‘The Union’ newspaper account of the September 1904 Walcott-Langford welterweight title fight. Courtesy of NH State Library:
“LAKE FIGHT WAS A DRAW.
Walcott and Langford in Fifteen Found Mixup
They Weighed In At 142
Champion Was Outpointed by His Adversary – But Carried the Fighting to Langford – The Preliminary Was a Burlesque and Spotty Coyne. Gave a Tiresome Exhibition
One of the main sporting events of Labor day was pulled off at the Coliseum before upwards of 2,000 people, when Joe Walcott and Sam Langford fought fifteen rounds for championship honors. The fight ended in a draw, Langford outpointed the title holder from the start, ____ _____ the ____ Walcott was forced to carry the fighting to him. Owen Kenney officiated the bout, and his decision appeared to meet with general approval, although it was unquestionable a Langford (______?).
((Can’t make out much of the 2nd paragraph, which is about the preliminary bout))
Third paragraph:
I can’t make out the first three words of the first sentence, but after that it looks like it says: “was started on time” and then: “Walcott was the first to enter the ring. He was accompanied by “Honey” Melody, Peter Walker, Harry R_____?, and John (Breslin?), all of Boston. The champion wore an American flag about his belt. Langford was seconded by James Welsh, Ed Keevin, and B____ J_____ all of Boston.”
Fourth paragraph:
“Before calling time Referee Kenney announced that both men had weighed in at 142 pounds - Walcott appeared heavier – and would fight fifteen rounds for a decision, the fighters to protect themselves at all times and break on command of the referee.”
Fifth paragraph:
“The first round started in lively, although it was mostly sparring for an opening. Walcott appeared to be playing for the body and Langford for the head. In the second round Langford was in and out and all over the ring.
Walcott reached home with a good left swing to the jaw in the third and the fighting warmed up as the round progressed. Langford drove several stiff rights to the jaw toward the last of the round, and the bell sounded with the fighting in Langford’s favor.
Honors were about even in the fourth.
In the fifth, Walcott drove a left to Langford’s jaw. Langford returned the blow with a left to the jaw and the fighters mixed up. This was also Langford’s round.
The sixth was a general slam-bank contest, Langford driving left and right to jaw and body. The blows appeared to have little effect on the champion, however, and he kept chaffing Langford, a trick of his when his opponent is getting in some telling blows.
Walcott forced the fighting continuously in the seventh.
In the eighth Walcott started in as if to end the bout then and there. As he would plant a stiff left on Langford’s ribs he would say: “I’ve got ‘im Billy, just wait, I’ve got ‘im.” Langford put a sudden stop to the chaffing, however, with a right hook to the jaw that sent the champion reeling. This he followed up with a couple of uppers cuts and a left drive to the jaw. The fighting in this was the fastest of any round.
The next four rounds as far as points were concerned were easily Langford’s, although in each he hung back and let Walcott force him.
In the thirteenth Walcott got an upper cut that made his teeth rattle and started him to bleeding at the mouth. He drove a vicious right swing to Langford’s jaw before the round ended.
Walcott came up the fresher of the two in the fourteenth and landed left and right on Langford’s wind and jaw. Langford drove a heavy right to the jaw, but the heavy body blows that he had been taking appeared to have winded him.
In the fifteenth and last round both men came up fresh. Walcott refused to shake hands and Langford went in to make him pay for it. This round was fast and furious, although neither lost his generalship. The bell sounded with both men on their feet and honors about even.
Referee Kenney’s decision of a draw was greeted with applause.
The management of the bout had made arrangements for a big crowd, erecting two extra stands capable of seating 1,000 people, although, many Boston sports came up, the attendance did not pan out as anticipated, the new stands only being about half (full?)”
“LAKE FIGHT WAS A DRAW.
Walcott and Langford in Fifteen Found Mixup
They Weighed In At 142
Champion Was Outpointed by His Adversary – But Carried the Fighting to Langford – The Preliminary Was a Burlesque and Spotty Coyne. Gave a Tiresome Exhibition
One of the main sporting events of Labor day was pulled off at the Coliseum before upwards of 2,000 people, when Joe Walcott and Sam Langford fought fifteen rounds for championship honors. The fight ended in a draw, Langford outpointed the title holder from the start, ____ _____ the ____ Walcott was forced to carry the fighting to him. Owen Kenney officiated the bout, and his decision appeared to meet with general approval, although it was unquestionable a Langford (______?).
((Can’t make out much of the 2nd paragraph, which is about the preliminary bout))
Third paragraph:
I can’t make out the first three words of the first sentence, but after that it looks like it says: “was started on time” and then: “Walcott was the first to enter the ring. He was accompanied by “Honey” Melody, Peter Walker, Harry R_____?, and John (Breslin?), all of Boston. The champion wore an American flag about his belt. Langford was seconded by James Welsh, Ed Keevin, and B____ J_____ all of Boston.”
Fourth paragraph:
“Before calling time Referee Kenney announced that both men had weighed in at 142 pounds - Walcott appeared heavier – and would fight fifteen rounds for a decision, the fighters to protect themselves at all times and break on command of the referee.”
Fifth paragraph:
“The first round started in lively, although it was mostly sparring for an opening. Walcott appeared to be playing for the body and Langford for the head. In the second round Langford was in and out and all over the ring.
Walcott reached home with a good left swing to the jaw in the third and the fighting warmed up as the round progressed. Langford drove several stiff rights to the jaw toward the last of the round, and the bell sounded with the fighting in Langford’s favor.
Honors were about even in the fourth.
In the fifth, Walcott drove a left to Langford’s jaw. Langford returned the blow with a left to the jaw and the fighters mixed up. This was also Langford’s round.
The sixth was a general slam-bank contest, Langford driving left and right to jaw and body. The blows appeared to have little effect on the champion, however, and he kept chaffing Langford, a trick of his when his opponent is getting in some telling blows.
Walcott forced the fighting continuously in the seventh.
In the eighth Walcott started in as if to end the bout then and there. As he would plant a stiff left on Langford’s ribs he would say: “I’ve got ‘im Billy, just wait, I’ve got ‘im.” Langford put a sudden stop to the chaffing, however, with a right hook to the jaw that sent the champion reeling. This he followed up with a couple of uppers cuts and a left drive to the jaw. The fighting in this was the fastest of any round.
The next four rounds as far as points were concerned were easily Langford’s, although in each he hung back and let Walcott force him.
In the thirteenth Walcott got an upper cut that made his teeth rattle and started him to bleeding at the mouth. He drove a vicious right swing to Langford’s jaw before the round ended.
Walcott came up the fresher of the two in the fourteenth and landed left and right on Langford’s wind and jaw. Langford drove a heavy right to the jaw, but the heavy body blows that he had been taking appeared to have winded him.
In the fifteenth and last round both men came up fresh. Walcott refused to shake hands and Langford went in to make him pay for it. This round was fast and furious, although neither lost his generalship. The bell sounded with both men on their feet and honors about even.
Referee Kenney’s decision of a draw was greeted with applause.
The management of the bout had made arrangements for a big crowd, erecting two extra stands capable of seating 1,000 people, although, many Boston sports came up, the attendance did not pan out as anticipated, the new stands only being about half (full?)”
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Ring boxing magazine review of Langford book
The following review of 'Sam Langford, Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion' from the Fall 2008 issue of The Ring boxing magazine just hit the newstands on July 29th:
"Boxing Bookshelf
What sort of fighter could train on gin and pork chops, but was still good enough to beat the best lightweight of the day, draw with the best welterweight and middleweight of the day, beat one of the best light heavyweights of the day, and strike such fear among the heavyweights of the era that the champion would avoid him?
If you answered Sam Langford, give yourself a long, stinky cigar, the sort favored by Langford, and congratulate yourself. Langford beat Joe Gans, held Barbados Joe Walcott and Stanley Ketchel even, whipped Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, and got the best of most heavyweights during the Jack Johnson era. He fought Johnson too, Johnson won, but saw enough to know he didn't want a rematch.
Much of Clay Moyle's fine, new book, Sam Langford, Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion (Bennett & Hastings, 429 pages, hardcover, $29.95), pulls together many of the myths and facts about Langford, and makes his worldwide pursuit of Johnson into a chase equal to Captain Ahab's stalking of Moby Dick.
Langford's career seems to be the basis for many archetypes. Here we have the supremely talented black fighter who was stifled during the years of Jim Crow (denied even by Johnson, the black champion of the time); he fought beyond his prime, until his eyes were so bad that he had to feel his way along the ropes to find his corner between rounds; he ended up penniless and alone, occasionally struck down by passing automobiles because he couldn't see.
But Moyle, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, also reminds us that Langford had a large following in America, as well as in Europe and Mexico. As the book's many wonderful photographs show, Langford was every bit as colorful as Johnson. And for a cactus-stump of a man who disdained training, Langford was a marvelous fighting machine with a profound knowledge of the ring.
There will always be those who over-praise Langford, those who insist he wouldn't been 200-0 with 200 knockouts, if only he weren't handcuffed by the indignities of the era. While it's undoubtedly true that Langford carried some opponents and took a few dives, he also lost a lot of bouts due to his poor conditioning. Moyle follows the usual argument that when it appeared his shot at Johnson's title would never happen, Langford grew fat and lazy. Still, Moyle approaches the subject in an even-handed manner, and is never maudlin.
One wonders how boxing history might've changed if Langford, rather than Johnson, had been the first black fighter to win the heavyweight championship. Langford was certainly a more crowd-pleasing fighter, and if half the quotes attributed to him are true, he was better with the press. Moyle's book makes us think 1908 America might've enjoyed seeing Langford wear the crown. At the very least, Langford wouldn't have denied Johnson a title shot."
- Don Stradley
"Boxing Bookshelf
What sort of fighter could train on gin and pork chops, but was still good enough to beat the best lightweight of the day, draw with the best welterweight and middleweight of the day, beat one of the best light heavyweights of the day, and strike such fear among the heavyweights of the era that the champion would avoid him?
If you answered Sam Langford, give yourself a long, stinky cigar, the sort favored by Langford, and congratulate yourself. Langford beat Joe Gans, held Barbados Joe Walcott and Stanley Ketchel even, whipped Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, and got the best of most heavyweights during the Jack Johnson era. He fought Johnson too, Johnson won, but saw enough to know he didn't want a rematch.
Much of Clay Moyle's fine, new book, Sam Langford, Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion (Bennett & Hastings, 429 pages, hardcover, $29.95), pulls together many of the myths and facts about Langford, and makes his worldwide pursuit of Johnson into a chase equal to Captain Ahab's stalking of Moby Dick.
Langford's career seems to be the basis for many archetypes. Here we have the supremely talented black fighter who was stifled during the years of Jim Crow (denied even by Johnson, the black champion of the time); he fought beyond his prime, until his eyes were so bad that he had to feel his way along the ropes to find his corner between rounds; he ended up penniless and alone, occasionally struck down by passing automobiles because he couldn't see.
But Moyle, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, also reminds us that Langford had a large following in America, as well as in Europe and Mexico. As the book's many wonderful photographs show, Langford was every bit as colorful as Johnson. And for a cactus-stump of a man who disdained training, Langford was a marvelous fighting machine with a profound knowledge of the ring.
There will always be those who over-praise Langford, those who insist he wouldn't been 200-0 with 200 knockouts, if only he weren't handcuffed by the indignities of the era. While it's undoubtedly true that Langford carried some opponents and took a few dives, he also lost a lot of bouts due to his poor conditioning. Moyle follows the usual argument that when it appeared his shot at Johnson's title would never happen, Langford grew fat and lazy. Still, Moyle approaches the subject in an even-handed manner, and is never maudlin.
One wonders how boxing history might've changed if Langford, rather than Johnson, had been the first black fighter to win the heavyweight championship. Langford was certainly a more crowd-pleasing fighter, and if half the quotes attributed to him are true, he was better with the press. Moyle's book makes us think 1908 America might've enjoyed seeing Langford wear the crown. At the very least, Langford wouldn't have denied Johnson a title shot."
- Don Stradley
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Link to July 23rd interview with TalkinBoxing
Here’s a link to a radio interview I did yesterday concerning the Sam Langford book with a radio show (TalkinBoxing) out of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. I come in at the 58 minute mark of the show. Near the bottom of the screen you can fast forward the arrow to skip thru to that point. It runs through to the 1:10:45 mark, or about 12-13 minutes overall: http://www.tpsradio.net/podcast/archives/1556
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
TalkinBoxing
I'll be interviewed this coming Wednesday, July 23rd, at 7:05 p.m. EST concerning the Sam Langford book on http://www.talkinboxing.com/
Monday, July 14, 2008
Some interesting comments & debates concerning Sam and his career, as well as many other great figthters of that era can be found in the forum on www.cyberboxingzone.com
This past Saturday's radio interview with Rich Marotta of KLAC 570AM of Los Angeles can be found on the link below:http://www.xtrasportsradio.com/pages/podcasting/index2.htmlIf you'd like to hear it just click on the '7/12 Neutral Corner Hour 1' link. I come in at the 29:30 minute mark and am on thru 43:55
My next interview concerning the book will take place on Friday, July 18th, with Ronnie Kelpsas, a.k.a., MrChiLoop, on AM-1530 WJJG in Chicago, at 2:05 p.m. central time. Website address: www.mrchiloop.com
My next interview concerning the book will take place on Friday, July 18th, with Ronnie Kelpsas, a.k.a., MrChiLoop, on AM-1530 WJJG in Chicago, at 2:05 p.m. central time. Website address: www.mrchiloop.com
Thursday, July 10, 2008
July 12th interview with Rich Marota of the Neutral Corner
I'll be talking with Rich Marotta of the Neutral Corner this coming Saturday, July 12th @ 9:30 pst about Sam Langford and my new book about him. You can listen live at www.xtrasportsradio.com
Monday, July 7, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
I'll be interviewed on radio concerning the book on Monday, June 30th @ 8:30 pst by Dan Sims with Straightjab: http://www.straightjab.com/
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sam Langford book
My new book 'Sam Langford, Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion' is available for purchase. It is a 429-page hardcover with dust jacket, and includes 98 photographs, many of which are extremely rare. A signed or inscribed copy may be purchased directly from the author by emailing cmoyle@aol.com or you may purchase directly from the publisher, Bennett & Hastings, from the following website: http://www.bennetthastings.com/author.php?author_id=13
"Sixty-four years ago, a blind and indigent Sam Langford was rediscovered through an award winning article published in the New York Herald Tribune. Now, in 2008, Clay Moyle 'discovers' Langford anew-in greater depth and with remarkable clarity. In tenaciously applying the forensic skills of a seasoned sports historian and archivist, Moyle plots a stunning tale which is set against the backdrop of the pervasive racial mores of the times in which Langford lived and fought, and in the process reclaims for posterity the life and career of one of boxing's truly great figures." ---Adeyinka Makinde, author of Dick Tiger:The Life and Times of a Boxing Immortal
"As the title of this book indicates, Sam Langford was, indeed, an 'uncrowned champion'-one of the greatest pound-for-pound pugilists ever to step through the ropes. The only reason Langford never held a world title was that no champion gave him a chance to fight for the crown, even though Sam was eminently qualified. Now, the uncrowned champion has found a champion in Clay Moyle, an eminent boxing historian. This book gives Langford the recognition he has deserved for such a long time. Langford was small in stature, but he was larger than life. He was capable of knocking opponents twice his size colder than a mackerel. Had there been any justice in the world of the early 1900s, Langford would have been champion of the middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. Moyle s epic chronicle of Langford s life in and out of the ring redresses the fighter s slide into obscurity during the half-century since his death. The author deftly balances the triumphs and tragedies of this extraordinary man s career. This book is a must-read, from the opening bell to the last. "--Charles R. Saunders, author of Sweat and Soul: The Saga of Black Boxers from the Halifax Forum to Ceasars Palace
"With his richly detailed new biography, Clay Moyle has restored the indomitable Sam Langford to his rightful place in the history of American sports -- and demonstrates along the way that Jack Johnson was right when he called Langford 'the toughest little son of a bitch that ever lived." --Geoffrey C. Ward, author of Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson
Sports historian Clay Moyle describes Canadian-born Sam Langford as one of the most successful and yet little known boxers of the 20th Century. In the excerpt below, drawn from his recently publisher book titled Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion, Moyle makes his case for that claim:
Pound for pound, who was the world’s greatest boxer?
Whenever boxing fans debate the question, the name most often mentioned is that of Sugar Ray Robinson. However, many boxing historians would argue in favor of Sam Langford, a lesser-known fighter born in Weymouth, Nova Scotia, in 1886.
During the first quarter of the twentieth century, the prospect of facing the five-foot-seven-inch dynamo, who weighed no more than 175 pounds at his peak, struck terror in the hearts of most of his contemporaries, including heavyweight champions Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey.
In June 1916, the 21-year-old Dempsey quickly declined an opportunity to face an aging Langford. Recalling the incident years later in his autobiography, Dempsey wrote, “The Hell I feared no man. There was one man, he was even smaller than I, and I wouldn’t fight because I knew he would flatten me. I was afraid of Sam Langford.”
Jack Johnson, on the other hand, did face Langford, once, in April 1906, when Langford was only a 20-year-old lightweight who gave up over 40 pounds to the 28-year- old heavyweight contender. Johnson won a convincing 15-round decision over the youngster, but discovered just how tough the smaller fighter was and what kind of dynamite he carried in his fists.
Two and a half years later, Johnson won the heavyweight championship by defeating Tommy Burns. Over the ensuing years, Langford and his manager, Joe Woodman, hounded Johnson in futile pursuit of an opportunity to fight for the title.
“Nobody will pay to see two black men fight for the title,” Johnson said However, when Johnson grew weary of Australian boxing promoter Hugh “Huge Deal”’ McIntosh’s efforts to arrange a match with Langford, he admitted that he had no wish to face Langford again. “I don’t want to fight that little smoke,” said Johnson. “He’s got a chance to win against anyone in the world. I’m the first black champion and I’m going to be the last.”
Years later, Johnson confided to New England Sports Museum trustee Kevin Aylwood, “Sam Langford was the toughest little son of a bitch that ever lived.”
Despite participating in over 300 professional bouts in a 24-year ring career (from 1902 to 1926), Langford never won a world title. He defeated reigning lightweight champion Joe Gans by decision in December 1903 but was not recognized as the new champion because he came into the fight two pounds over the lightweight limit. Nine months later Langford fought the world welterweight champion, Joe Walcott, to a 15-round draw in a contest that the majority of those in attendance felt he deserved.
Surprisingly, Langford would never receive another opportunity to fight for a world title. Although he faced middleweight champion Stanley Ketchel in a six-round fight in April 1910, this was a predetermined no-decision contest that was rumored to be a preview for a 45-round title bout on the West Coast later that year. Unfortunately, Ketchel was murdered before that event could be held.
Although Langford began competing as a lightweight and then as a welterweight, once he matured physically, it became more difficult for him to keep within those weight limits. He was also aware of the fact that there was more money in fighting big fellows and subsequently went after heavyweights. Over the years he met and defeated many men much larger than himself: men like “Battling” Jim Johnson, Sam McVey, Sandy Ferguson, Joe Jeannette, Sam McVey, “Big” Bill Tate, George Godfrey and Harry Wills. Some of these fighters towered over Langford, who often also gave up as much as 40 pounds in weight.
One opponent, “Fireman” Jim Flynn, said of Langford’s punching power: “I fought most of the heavyweights, including [Jack] Dempsey and [Jack] Johnson, but Sam could strength a guy colder than any of them. When Langford hit me it felt like someone slugged me with a baseball bat.”
In 1917, Langford completely lost the sight of one eye during a loss against Fred Fulton. Remarkably, he would continue fighting with one eye for another nine years, the last few with limited sight out of his one “good” eye. In 1923 he captured the Mexican heavyweight title in a contest at which he had to rely on his handlers to help guide him into the ring and to his corner. Langford’s assistants were so concerned about his eyesight that they wanted to call the fight off, but Langford refused: He needed the money.
Sam fought for another two years while his eyesight continued to fail, until in August 1925, in his last professional bout, he was forced to quit in the opening round of a fight when it became obvious that he couldn’t see his opponent at all.
By 1944, Langford was blind, all but forgotten and living in poverty in a dingy tenement in Harlem, N.Y. In January of that year, sportswriter Al Laney of the New York Herald Tribune decided to write a story about Langford, a great boxer who had seemingly vanished from the face of the earth.
The search proved futile for quite a while. Many people Laney questioned were not even aware of who Langford was. At least a dozen others but claimed that Langford was dead. Eventually Laney learned that Langford was in fact alive and residing in a building in his city on 139th St. A woman who resided in the building led Laney to a tiny, dirty bedroom at the end of a dark hallway on the third floor. There, Laney found Langford, just one month shy of his fifty-eighth birthday, sitting on the edge of his bed, listening to an old radio.
Langford had 20 cents in his pocket and was subsisting on a few dollars he received each month from a foundation for the blind. Twice a day, two young boys would come by and take him to a restaurant for breakfast and a second meal late in the afternoon. Langford told Laney that he the rest of his time sitting alone in his dark bedroom with only his radio for company.
When he’d gathered the information he needed for his story, Laney went back to the office and banged out the story on his typewriter for the paper. But he didn’t stop there: He was so moved by Langford’s situation that he initiated a drive with a group of New York businessmen and -women that raised $10,892 for a trust fund for Langford. In April of 1945, the money was invested in an insurance company so that Langford would receive an annuity of $49.18 a month for life.
In 1952, Langford moved back to Boston and quietly lived out the remaining years of his life in a private nursing home. He passed away on January 12, 1956, just two months before his seventieth birthday and only ten weeks after being enshrined in the Boxing Hall of Fame. At the time of his induction, Langford was the only non–world titleholder to be so honored.
Sam Langford never regretted his chosen profession and expressed no bitterness or remorse over the loss of his eyesight. He maintained a keen sense of humor and kind disposition throughout his life and always said that boxing provided him with a wealth of memories. In a statement attributed to him a few months before his death, he said, “Don’t nobody need to feel sorry for old Sam. I had plenty of good times. I been all over the world. I fought maybe 600 fights, and every one was a pleasure!”
Sources:Clay Moyle, Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion (Seattle: Bennett & Hastings, 2008)
Whenever boxing fans debate the question, the name most often mentioned is that of Sugar Ray Robinson. However, many boxing historians would argue in favor of Sam Langford, a lesser-known fighter born in Weymouth, Nova Scotia, in 1886.
During the first quarter of the twentieth century, the prospect of facing the five-foot-seven-inch dynamo, who weighed no more than 175 pounds at his peak, struck terror in the hearts of most of his contemporaries, including heavyweight champions Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey.
In June 1916, the 21-year-old Dempsey quickly declined an opportunity to face an aging Langford. Recalling the incident years later in his autobiography, Dempsey wrote, “The Hell I feared no man. There was one man, he was even smaller than I, and I wouldn’t fight because I knew he would flatten me. I was afraid of Sam Langford.”
Jack Johnson, on the other hand, did face Langford, once, in April 1906, when Langford was only a 20-year-old lightweight who gave up over 40 pounds to the 28-year- old heavyweight contender. Johnson won a convincing 15-round decision over the youngster, but discovered just how tough the smaller fighter was and what kind of dynamite he carried in his fists.
Two and a half years later, Johnson won the heavyweight championship by defeating Tommy Burns. Over the ensuing years, Langford and his manager, Joe Woodman, hounded Johnson in futile pursuit of an opportunity to fight for the title.
“Nobody will pay to see two black men fight for the title,” Johnson said However, when Johnson grew weary of Australian boxing promoter Hugh “Huge Deal”’ McIntosh’s efforts to arrange a match with Langford, he admitted that he had no wish to face Langford again. “I don’t want to fight that little smoke,” said Johnson. “He’s got a chance to win against anyone in the world. I’m the first black champion and I’m going to be the last.”
Years later, Johnson confided to New England Sports Museum trustee Kevin Aylwood, “Sam Langford was the toughest little son of a bitch that ever lived.”
Despite participating in over 300 professional bouts in a 24-year ring career (from 1902 to 1926), Langford never won a world title. He defeated reigning lightweight champion Joe Gans by decision in December 1903 but was not recognized as the new champion because he came into the fight two pounds over the lightweight limit. Nine months later Langford fought the world welterweight champion, Joe Walcott, to a 15-round draw in a contest that the majority of those in attendance felt he deserved.
Surprisingly, Langford would never receive another opportunity to fight for a world title. Although he faced middleweight champion Stanley Ketchel in a six-round fight in April 1910, this was a predetermined no-decision contest that was rumored to be a preview for a 45-round title bout on the West Coast later that year. Unfortunately, Ketchel was murdered before that event could be held.
Although Langford began competing as a lightweight and then as a welterweight, once he matured physically, it became more difficult for him to keep within those weight limits. He was also aware of the fact that there was more money in fighting big fellows and subsequently went after heavyweights. Over the years he met and defeated many men much larger than himself: men like “Battling” Jim Johnson, Sam McVey, Sandy Ferguson, Joe Jeannette, Sam McVey, “Big” Bill Tate, George Godfrey and Harry Wills. Some of these fighters towered over Langford, who often also gave up as much as 40 pounds in weight.
One opponent, “Fireman” Jim Flynn, said of Langford’s punching power: “I fought most of the heavyweights, including [Jack] Dempsey and [Jack] Johnson, but Sam could strength a guy colder than any of them. When Langford hit me it felt like someone slugged me with a baseball bat.”
In 1917, Langford completely lost the sight of one eye during a loss against Fred Fulton. Remarkably, he would continue fighting with one eye for another nine years, the last few with limited sight out of his one “good” eye. In 1923 he captured the Mexican heavyweight title in a contest at which he had to rely on his handlers to help guide him into the ring and to his corner. Langford’s assistants were so concerned about his eyesight that they wanted to call the fight off, but Langford refused: He needed the money.
Sam fought for another two years while his eyesight continued to fail, until in August 1925, in his last professional bout, he was forced to quit in the opening round of a fight when it became obvious that he couldn’t see his opponent at all.
By 1944, Langford was blind, all but forgotten and living in poverty in a dingy tenement in Harlem, N.Y. In January of that year, sportswriter Al Laney of the New York Herald Tribune decided to write a story about Langford, a great boxer who had seemingly vanished from the face of the earth.
The search proved futile for quite a while. Many people Laney questioned were not even aware of who Langford was. At least a dozen others but claimed that Langford was dead. Eventually Laney learned that Langford was in fact alive and residing in a building in his city on 139th St. A woman who resided in the building led Laney to a tiny, dirty bedroom at the end of a dark hallway on the third floor. There, Laney found Langford, just one month shy of his fifty-eighth birthday, sitting on the edge of his bed, listening to an old radio.
Langford had 20 cents in his pocket and was subsisting on a few dollars he received each month from a foundation for the blind. Twice a day, two young boys would come by and take him to a restaurant for breakfast and a second meal late in the afternoon. Langford told Laney that he the rest of his time sitting alone in his dark bedroom with only his radio for company.
When he’d gathered the information he needed for his story, Laney went back to the office and banged out the story on his typewriter for the paper. But he didn’t stop there: He was so moved by Langford’s situation that he initiated a drive with a group of New York businessmen and -women that raised $10,892 for a trust fund for Langford. In April of 1945, the money was invested in an insurance company so that Langford would receive an annuity of $49.18 a month for life.
In 1952, Langford moved back to Boston and quietly lived out the remaining years of his life in a private nursing home. He passed away on January 12, 1956, just two months before his seventieth birthday and only ten weeks after being enshrined in the Boxing Hall of Fame. At the time of his induction, Langford was the only non–world titleholder to be so honored.
Sam Langford never regretted his chosen profession and expressed no bitterness or remorse over the loss of his eyesight. He maintained a keen sense of humor and kind disposition throughout his life and always said that boxing provided him with a wealth of memories. In a statement attributed to him a few months before his death, he said, “Don’t nobody need to feel sorry for old Sam. I had plenty of good times. I been all over the world. I fought maybe 600 fights, and every one was a pleasure!”
Sources:Clay Moyle, Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion (Seattle: Bennett & Hastings, 2008)
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