Knockout_LR_Freshmart
All Star
basic context to fill-in those that are interested:
Original Fight and Alternative Claims Over Decision
Johnson defeated Langford to retain the Colored Title 2 years before he would win the World Title. Most accounts of the fight claim that Johnson (who weighed nearly 30 lbs heavier) dominated and knocked down Langford to earn the decision. However, Langford's manager claimed to the press that Langford soundly knocked down and defeated Johnson. Despite numerous accounts by alleged fight attendees that Johnson won continuing for decades, Langford's manager's claims persisted in the public's consciousness.
Johnson Wins World Title and Refuses to Fight Langford
In 1908, Johnson won the World Title from Tommy Burns and soon faced scrutiny for not fighting black fighters. Langford (the Colored Title holder) stood out as the most formidable black challenger, but Johnson opted to fight journeyman Jim Johnson as his first black challenger 5 years into his reign. The fight ended up being a lackluster draw and Jim would next lose to Langford via newspaper decision. Numerous offers were rumored to have been made for the long-awaited rematch to take place in France, but Johnson never accepted and it never came to fruition.
Langford's later comments on Johnson
"The day I saw him beat Jeffries made me surer.Jeffries was in good shape that day.he never could have taken the licking he did if he wasn't in good form. You know he was just as fast as ever,but he was like a baby when he boxed Johnson. I tell you that Johnson was so big ,so strong,so clever.He had everything,he was never hurt,never had a black eye , or a cut,never broke a hand,and he beat the best in the world.I call that considerable doing. He was never even tired in a fight.He just fought his own way,went about it in a business-like way and made the other fellow look foolish. Hit? Yes sir! I never hit the floor harder in my life than the night he hit me.I thought I'd go right through the floor of the ring".
*Take these quotes with a grain of salt because I can not find the source of the interview anywhere online besides this forum post, it is claimed to be from a 1919 Ohio newspaper interview that was later cited in Langford's biography Sam Langford: Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion.
Sam Langford's Opinion Of Jack Johnson 1919 Interview
Original Fight and Alternative Claims Over Decision
Johnson defeated Langford to retain the Colored Title 2 years before he would win the World Title. Most accounts of the fight claim that Johnson (who weighed nearly 30 lbs heavier) dominated and knocked down Langford to earn the decision. However, Langford's manager claimed to the press that Langford soundly knocked down and defeated Johnson. Despite numerous accounts by alleged fight attendees that Johnson won continuing for decades, Langford's manager's claims persisted in the public's consciousness.
Johnson Wins World Title and Refuses to Fight Langford
In 1908, Johnson won the World Title from Tommy Burns and soon faced scrutiny for not fighting black fighters. Langford (the Colored Title holder) stood out as the most formidable black challenger, but Johnson opted to fight journeyman Jim Johnson as his first black challenger 5 years into his reign. The fight ended up being a lackluster draw and Jim would next lose to Langford via newspaper decision. Numerous offers were rumored to have been made for the long-awaited rematch to take place in France, but Johnson never accepted and it never came to fruition.
Langford's later comments on Johnson
"The day I saw him beat Jeffries made me surer.Jeffries was in good shape that day.he never could have taken the licking he did if he wasn't in good form. You know he was just as fast as ever,but he was like a baby when he boxed Johnson. I tell you that Johnson was so big ,so strong,so clever.He had everything,he was never hurt,never had a black eye , or a cut,never broke a hand,and he beat the best in the world.I call that considerable doing. He was never even tired in a fight.He just fought his own way,went about it in a business-like way and made the other fellow look foolish. Hit? Yes sir! I never hit the floor harder in my life than the night he hit me.I thought I'd go right through the floor of the ring".
*Take these quotes with a grain of salt because I can not find the source of the interview anywhere online besides this forum post, it is claimed to be from a 1919 Ohio newspaper interview that was later cited in Langford's biography Sam Langford: Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion.
Sam Langford's Opinion Of Jack Johnson 1919 Interview