Sam Langford: Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion
by Clay Moyle
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Book Summary Information
Author: Clay MoyleEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-04-15
ISBN: 1934733024
Number of pages: 448
Publisher: Bennett & Hastings
Book Reviews of Sam Langford: Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion
Book Review: As Good As It Gets
Summary: 5 Stars
Clay Moyle's book is a superb example as to how to write a boxer's biography. Providing many hitherto unpublished - if not unknown - facts about the life and career of the "Boston Tar Baby" (b. 1883, d. 1956, fought professionally from 1902 to 1926, in prime around 1908 to 1912, started losing sight in 1917) and many of his opponents (for example, Moyle explains what became of the long-forgotten boxer Danny Duane, who easily defeated both the young Langford and the highly-skilled Jack Blackburn, yet gave up what would seem to have been a very promising boxing career), the author sprinkles his book with many interesting, oftentimes funny, anecdotes about his subject. Of course, the best aspects of this book for boxing fans are Moyle's descriptions of Langford's boxing style and abilities (including accounts of when and against whom he started to utilize certain tactics and techniques); his accounts of Langford's major bouts - sometimes seemingly providing a 'blow-by-blow' description of the action; the many cited opinions of Langford's opponents and other boxing experts as to his strengths and weaknesses, as well as where he stands among boxing's greats; and, of course, the many fine photographs of the great man and his peers, many of which have never been published before.
My only real complaint about this book is that the author did not provide Langford's official weigh-in weight (and that of his opponent) for more of his bouts (for most fighters, this wouldn't be that big a deal, but, with someone like Langford, who gradually grew from a lightweight into a heavyweight and was competitive in each of the weight divisions between those two classes, it's quite important to know, especially since he often took on fighters who substantially outweighed him). But that's a small quibble given how great this bio is (I hope that the upcoming biographies of Joe Gans and Harry Greb are even 80% as good as this one).
Moyle provides Langford's ring record at the end of the book, as well as an index (which is always handy). As for the chapter titles, they are as follows: 1) Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia (in Canada - it's Langford's birthplace); 2) Champion of Cambridge Street (in Boston); 3) Joe Gans, "The Old Master"; 4) Joe Walcott, "The Barbados Demon"; 5) Tackling the Big Fellows; 6) England; 7) A Black Heavyweight Champion; 8) The Iron Man (William Hague); 9) Chasing the Michigan Assassin (Stanley Ketchel); 10) Encounter With a Razor; 11) Ketchel; 12) The Fight of the Century (Jack Johnson vs Jim Jeffries); 13) The Joplin Ghost (Jeff Clarke); 14) The Rabbit Punch; 15) Australia; 16) Mastering (Sam) McVea; 17) Troubles Down Under; 18) "Gunboat" (Ed Smith); 19) An End to Heavyweight Title Hopes; 20) Passing of the Torch; 21) Heavyweight Champion of Mexico; 22) Retirement; 23) The Forgotten Man.
Summary of Sam Langford: Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion
Standing no more than five-feet, seven-inches; tall, Sam Langford was one of the 20th century's greatest fighters. In this biography, his life story is told in great and entertaining detail. Over 100 photographs are included. Sam was a great black prizefighter in an era when the color line was easily cited by white opponents wanting to avoid meeting him in the ring. Ring magazine editor Nat Fleischer ranked Langford among his favorites, stating, 'Sam was endowed with everything. He possessed strength, agility, cleverness, hitting power, a good thinking cap and an abundance of courage. He feared no one. But he had the fatal gift of being too good, and that's why he often had to give away weight in early days and make agreements with opponents. Many of those who agreed to fight him, especially of his own race, wanted an assurance that he would be merciful or insisted on a bout of not more than six rounds.' This biography brings to light Sam Langford's remarkable talents and life.Ethnic & National Books
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