Sam Langford: Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion

Bennett & Hastings, 2008-04-15. Hardcover. Very Good. 6x2x9. [The Boston Bonecrusher] Hardcover and dust jacket. Good binding and cover. Shelf wear. Some foxing to edges. Pages unmarked. <br> Sam Langford was one of the greatest fighters in boxing history. Born in Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia on March 4, 1886, the 5' 7" dynamo migrated to Boston, Massachusetts, and engaged in close to 300 officially recorded professional contests from 1902 to 1926. He was an exceptionally courageous and intelligent fighter with long arms and an impressive upper torso. He also packed a tremendous wallop in both hands and knocked out many of the much larger and talented boxers of his day. In 2003, Ring Magazine's writers listed him second on their list of the 100 greatest pound for pound punchers of all-time. Despite his obvious qualifications Langford never received an opportunity to fight for a world championship. There were two reasons for this, first he was black and it was convenient for many of the top white contenders to draw the 'color line' to avoid facing him, and second he was too good to risk one's crown against. Time after time after becoming the first black heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson refused to fight Sam, eventually admitting that he had no wish to risk his title against Sam.