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Langford, Sam

Boxing

b. March 4, 1886, Weymouth, NS
d. Jan. 2, 1956

Career Record

Other Resources

Though basically a lightweight or welterweight, Langford fought in every division up to heavyweight. He went from Nova Scotia to Boston when he was thirteen and won his first professional fight in 1902.

Sam Langford

Known as the "Boston Tar Baby," Langford never had a world championship fight. He lost a 15-round decision in 1906 to Jack Johnson, who became the first black heavyweight champion two years later. Langford did knock out middleweight champion Philadelphia Jack O'Brien in 1911, but it was a non-title fight.

Langford spent much of his career fighting other black boxers who also never got championship bouts. He met Harry Wills 22 times, Sam McVey 15 times, and Joe Jeannette 14 times. His career was ended by blindness, probably caused by fight injuries, in 1924. In 252 recorded fights, he won 137, 99 by knockout; lost 23, 4 by knockout; and had 31 draws, 59 no-decisions, and 2 no-contests.

In 1944, the destitute Langford was found by New York sportswriter Al Laney living in a Harlem tenement. Laney's story in the Herald-Tribune brought in $11,000 in contributions that helped him live the rest of his life in relative comfort.

International Boxing Hall of Fame

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Career Record

1902
Jan. 13Jack McVickerBoston, MAW 3
Jan. 13William McDonaldBoston, MAW 3
Feb. 10Jack McVickerBoston, MAW 3
April 11Jack McVickerBoston, MAKO 5
1903
Jan. 15Arthur PrattBoston, MAKO 2
Jan. 22Billy ChisholmLawrence, MAND 6
Feb. 6Luther ManualBoston, MAND 6
Feb. 27Luther ManualBoston, MAW 10
March 4Sadler JenningsChelsea, MAKO 2
March 26John ButlerBoston, MAW 6
April 3Bob "Stonewall" AllenBoston, MAW 6
April 16Bob "Stonewall" AllenBoston, MAW 6
April 20Andy WatsonLawrence, MAND 12
May 8Andy WatsonBoston, MAND 10
May 25Billy JordanCambridge, MAND 6
May 26Chick MonahanBoston, MAKO 1
May 29Andy WatsonBoston, MAND 12
June 5Tim KearnsBoston, MATK 2
June 15Andy WatsonGloucester, MAD 12
June 19Walter BurgoBoston, MAKO 8
June 26Danny DuaneBoston, MAL 12
July 16Belfield WalcottScituate, RIW 20
Aug. 28Kid GriffoBoston, MAW 12
Sept. 15Shadow MorrisBoston, MAW 12
Oct. 5Arthur CoteBoston, MATK 4
Nov. 20Patsy SweeneyBoston, MAKO 12
Nov. 28Joe ReedBoston, MAKO 4
Dec. 8Joe GansBoston, MAW 15
Dec. 23Jack BlackburnBoston, MAND 12
1904
Jan. 6Andy WatsonSalem, MAD 12
Jan. 11Jack BlackburnPhiladelphia, PAND 6
Jan. 27Belfield WalcottBoston, MAND 6
Feb. 13Charlie JohnsonBoston, MATK 5
Feb. 22Willie LewisNew Bedford, MAKO 2
April 11Dave HollyCambridge, MAL 10
July 29George "Elbows" McFaddenManchester, NHTK 2
Sept. 5Joe WalcottManchester, NHD 15
Sept. 30Dave HollyBaltimore, MDD 15
Nov. 4Dave HollyPhiladelphia, PAND 6
Nov. 24Andy WatsonWebster, MAW 12
Nov. 25Tommy SullivanMarlboro, MATK 3
Dec. 9Jack BlackburnMarlboro, MAD 15
Dec. 22Joe ReedBerlin, NHTK 9
1905
Jan. 16Joe ReedWebster, MAKO 5
Jan. 20George GuntherChelsea, MATK 11
Jan. 27Belfield WalcottBoston, MAND 6
Feb. 13Dave HollySalem, MAD 15
March 4George ColeBoston, MANC 9
March 13George GuntherPortland, MEW 12
May 16Bogardus HydeWebster, MATK 3
May 26Young Peter JacksonMarlboro, MAW 15
June 15Young Peter JacksonChelsea, MAW 15
July 4Larry TempleMarlboro, MAL 10
Aug. 18Jack BlackburnLeiperville, PAW 15
Sept. 20Jack BlackburnAllentown, PAD 10
Sept. 29Young Peter JacksonBaltimore, MDD 15
Oct. 7Jack BlackburnPhiladelphia, PANC 1
Dec. 25Joe JeannetteLawrence, MALT 8
1906
Feb. 28Larry TempleChelsea, MAKO 15
March 19Black FitzsimmonsWebster, MATK 11
April 5Joe JeannetteChelsea, MAW 15
April 26Jack JohnsonChelsea, MAL 15
June 13Young Peter JacksonSouthbridge, MALT 5
Nov. 12George GuntherValley Falls, RIW 12
Nov. 21Young Peter JacksonRochester, NYW 15
Nov. 29George GuntherHaverhill, MATK 3
1907
Jan. 11Joe JeannetteLawrence, MAD 12
Jan. 31Kid WilliamsRochester, NYKO 6
April 22James "Tiger" SmithLondon, EnglandKO 4
June 3Geoff ThornLondon, EnglandKO 1
Aug. 27Larry TempleChelsea, MAW 10
Sept. 25Jim BarryNew York, NYND 6
Oct. 15Jim BarryChelsea, MAND 10
Nov. 12Young Peter JacksonLos Angeles, CAW 20
Dec. 17Jim BarryLos Angeles, CAND 10
1908
Jan. 14Jim BarryLos Angeles, CAND 10
Feb. 10Black FitzsimmonsBoston, MATK 4
March 3Joe JeannetteBoston, MAD 12
March 11Larry TempleBoston, MAND 8
April 7Jim BarryBoston, MAKO 2
May 19John "Sandy" FergusonBoston, MAW 12
June 19Jim BarryNew York, NYKO 3
July 21John WilleBrooklyn, NYKO 2
Aug. 7Tony RossNew York, NYTK 5
Sept. 1Joe JeannetteNew York, NYND 6
Dec. 21"Fireman" Jim FlynnSan Francisco, CAKO 1
1909
March 17Jim BarryPhiladelphia, PAND 6
March 29Morris HarrisBrooklyn, NYTK 7
April 3John WillePhiladelphia, PAKO 2
April 14Jim BarryAlbany, NYND 10
April 17Al KubiakPhiladelphia, PAND 6
April 27John "Sandy" FergusonBoston, MAD 12
May 24William "Iron" HagueLondon, EnglandKO 4
July 13Klondike (John Haynes)Pittsburgh, PA ND 6
Sept. 28Dixie Kid Boston, MATK 5
Nov. 2Klondike (John Haynes)Boston, MAKO 2
Nov. 23Mike SchreckPittsburgh, PATK 1
1910
Jan. 10Dixie Kid (Aaron Brown)Memphis, TNKO 3
Feb. 8"Fireman" Jim FlynnLos Angeles, CAND 10
Feb. 22Nat DeweyCheyenne, WyKO 1
March 17"Fireman" Jim FlynnLos Angeles, CAKO 8
April 14Jim BarryVernon, CAKO 16
April 27Stanley KetchelPhiladelphia, PAND 6
May 14"Battling" Jim JohnsonPhiladelphia, PAND 6
May 17Al KubiakNew York, NYTK 2
Sept. 6Joe JeannetteBoston, MAW 15
Nov. 10Jeff ClarkJoplin, MOKO 2
Dec. 6Morris HarrisBoston, MAKO 2
1911
Jan. 10Joe JeannetteBoston, MAW 12
Jan. 16Fred AtwaterUtica, NYTK 3
Feb. 21Bill LangLondon, EnglandWF 6
April 1Sam McVeaParis, FranceD 20
May 30Ralph CallowaySyracuse, NYKO 4
June 16Tony CaponiWinnipeg, MANND 10
June 29Jack FitzgeraldNew York, NYKO 5
Aug. 9Jim SmithNew York, NYKO 5
Aug. 15"Philadelphia" Jack O'BrienNew York, NYKO 5
Aug. 24Tony RossNew York, NYKO 6
Sept. 5Joe JeannetteNew York, NYND 10
Oct. 6Tony CaponiNew York, NYKO 3
Dec. 26Sam McVeaSydney, AustraliaL 20
1912
Feb. 12Jim BerrySydney, AustraliaW 20
April 8Sam McVeaSydney, AustraliaW 20
May 13Jim BerryMelbourne, AustraliaKO 11
May 27Dan "Porky" FlynnMelbourne, AustraliaKO 14
Aug. 3Sam McVeaSydney, AustraliaW 20
Oct. 9Sam McVeaPerth, AustraliaTK 11
Dec. 26Sam McVeaSydney, AustraliaKO 13
1913
March 15Jim BerryBrisbane, AustraliaKO 1
March 24Sam McVeaBrisbane, AustraliaD 20
April 2Jerry JeromeBrisbane, AustraliaND 10
June 19Colin BellRockhampton, AustraliaD 15
Aug. 26Dan "Porky" FlynnBoston, MAKO 4
Sept. 9John Lester JohnsonNew York, NYKO 1
Oct. 3Joe JeannetteNew York, NYND 10
Oct. 27Jack LesterTaft, CATK 5
Nov. 12Ed "Gunboat" SmithBoston, MAL 12
Dec. 20Joe JeannetteParis, FranceW 20
1914
Jan. 24Matthew "P. O." CurranParis, FranceKO 1
Jan. 26Bob ArmstrongLondon, EnglandEX 3
March 23Bill WatkinsNew York, NYTK 1
March 27"Battling" Jim JohnsonNew York, NYND 10
April 15George "Kid" CottonChattanooga, TNND 8
April 20Rough House WareMemphis, TNW 8
May 1Harry WillsNew Orleans, LAND 10
May 25Bill WatkinsRochester, NYKO 4
Aug. 12"Battling" Jim JohnsonNew York, NYND 10
Aug. 25George "Kid" CottonBoston, MAKO 4
Sept. 15"Battling" Jim JohnsonBoston, MAD 12
Oct. 1Joe JeannetteNew York, NYND 10
Oct. 6Colin BellBoston, MAKO 4
Oct. 20Ed "Gunboat" SmithBoston, MAKO 3
Oct. 26Jeff ClarkJoplin, MOND 10
Nov. 10Tom "Bearcat" McMahonVernon, CATK 6
Nov. 16Jim CameronSan Diego, CATK 6
Nov. 26Harry WillsVernon, CAKO 14
1915
April 6"Battling" Jim JohnsonNew York, NYND 10
April 13Joe JeannetteBoston, MAL 12
April 19Dan "Porky" FlynnMontreal, QUENC 6
June 8"Battling" Jim JohnsonBrooklyn, NYND 10
June 29Sam McVeaBoston, MAL 12
July 16Jack ThompsonDenver, COKO 1
Sept. 30Sam McVeaDenver, COD 20
Oct. 18John Lester JohnsonDenver, COW 15
Nov. 23Sam McVeaNew York, NYND 10
Dec. 3Harry WillsNew York, NYND 10
1916
Jan. 3Harry WillsNew Orleans, LAL 20
Feb. 11Harry WillsNew Orleans, LAKO 19
Feb. 17Sam McVeaNew York, NYND 10
Feb. 28Cleve HawkinsNew York, NYND 10
March 7Harry WillsBrooklyn, NYND 10
March 23Dave MillsSyracuse, NYTK 2
March 31Jeff ClarkSt. Louis, MOKO 5
April 7Sam McVeaSyracuse, NYND 10
April 25Harry WillsSt. Louis, MOND 8
May 2Sam McVeaAkron, OHND 12
May 12Joe JeannetteRochester, NYKO 7
Aug. 12Sam McVeaBuenos Aires, ARgD 20
Nov. 30"Big" Bill TateSyracuse, NYND 10
Dec. 12"Battling" Jim JohnsonSt. Louis, MOKO 12
Dec. 29Bob DevereMontreal, QUEND 10
1917
Jan."Battling" Jim JohnsonKansas City, MOW 12
Jan. 25"Big" Bill TateKansas City, MOL 12
April 10Jack ThompsonBrooklyn, NYND 10
April 19Bob DevereNew York, NYND 10
May 2"Big" Bill TateSt. Louis, MOKO 6
May 11Harry WillsPhiladelphia, PAND 6
June 19Fred FultonBoston, MALT 7
Aug. 17Andre AndersonBuffalo, NYTK 2
Sept. 14Joe JeannetteToledo, OHND 12
Sept. 17Andrew "Thunderbolt" JohnsonArdmore, MDKO 2
Sept. 20Harry WillsBrooklyn, NYND 10
Nov. 12Harry WillsToledo, OHND 12
Dec. 17Kid NorfolkDenver, COKO 2
1918
April 14Harry WillsPanama City, PAnLK 6
May 19Harry WillsPanama City, PAnLT 7
Aug. 5"Battling" Jim JohnsonAtlantic City, NJND 8
Aug. 6Jack ThompsonPhiladelphia, PAND 6
Aug.Jeff Clark W 10
Aug. 19Rough House WareTulsa, OKKO 9
Aug. 22"Battling" Jim JohnsonSt. Louis, MOW 8
Nov. 1Jeff ClarkLowell, MAD 12
Nov. 16Jeff ClarkAtlanta, GaD 10
Nov. 28Jeff ClarkPhiladelphia, PAND 6
Nov. 29Jeff ClarkMilwaukee, WiEX 10
Dec. 12Jack "Big Boy" ButlerRock Island, ILKO 5
Dec. 16Jeff ClarkMemphis, TNW 8
Dec. 28Fred FultonSan Francisco, CAL 4
1919
March 4Willie MeehanSan Francisco, CAL 4
April 30Billy HooperColumbus, OHKO 4
June 19"Big" Bill TateMinneapolis, MNWF 5
July 4Harry WillsSt. Louis, MOND 8
Aug. 4Jack ThompsonTulsa, OKD 15
Aug. 23"Big" Bill TateGrand Rapids, MIKO 7
Sept. 18Rough House WilsonBattle Creek, MIKO 4
Sept. 30Harry WillsSyracuse, NYND 10
Oct. 20Jack ThompsonTulsa, OKD 15
Nov. 5Harry WillsTulsa, OKL 15
Nov. 17"Mexican" Jim JohnsonSioux City, IAKO 9
Nov. 24Jack ThompsonDuluth, MNTK 6
Dec. 3Dave McBrideRockford, ILKO 1
1920
Jan. 16Jeff ClarkKalamazoo, MIND 10
Feb. 23Battling GaheeMemphis, TNKO 2
Feb. 28Jeff ClarkTerre Haute, INND 10
March 29Jamaica KidColumbus, OHKO 7
April 5Jack ThompsonMuskogee, OKL 15
April 9Silas GreenDenver, COKO 3
April 19Harry WillsDenver, COL 15
MayGeorge Godfrey D 10
May 31Jeff ClarkColumbus, OHW 15
June 7Rough House WareNew Orleans, LAKO 9
July 26Pinky LewisTulsa, OKKO 9
Aug. 14Sam McVeaEast Chicago, INND 10
Aug. 30Ed "Bearcat" WrightWalthill, NEW 10
Sept. 6"Big" Bill TateBenton Harbor, MIND 6
Oct. 6"Tiny" Jim HermanPortland, ORKO 7
Oct. 14Frank FarmerSeattle, WAW 4
Oct. 20Lee AndersonPortland, ORL 10
Nov. 15Jack ThompsonMemphis, TNL 8
Nov. 17George GodfreyHot Springs, ARKO 2
Dec. 2"Tiny" Jim HermanPortland, ORKO 7
Dec. 9Terry KellarAberdeen, WAW 6
Dec. 23Clem JohnsonMarshfield, ORW 6
Dec. 29Jim BarryPortland, ORW 10
1921
Jan. 7Lee AndersonOmaha, NED 12
Jan. 14Bob DeverePortland, ORKO 7
Jan. 27Harry WillsPortland, ORND 10
? Brad SimmonsCincinnati, OHD 12
? Jeff ClarkTulsa, OKW 10
? Jack Thompson D 10
? "Big" Bill Tate W 12
? "Tiny" Jim Herman KO 2
? Alfred Johnson KO
? Bill Watkins KO
July 20Ed "Bearcat" WrightOmaha, NEKO 9
Aug. 12Lee AndersonOmaha, NEW 10
Aug. 17George GodfreyCovington, KYKO 1
Aug. 19Topeka Jack JohnsonTopeka, KSD 10
Sept. 5Lee AndersonFort Worth, TXL 10
Oct. 18Young Peter JacksonToronto, OntarioKO 2
Nov. 24Lee AndersonPhoenix, AZL 10
Dec. 10"Big" Bill TateCovington, KYL 12
1922
Jan. 17Harry WillsPortland, ORL 10
March 17Cyclone SmithHuntington, WVKO 2
March 27"Big" Bill TateMemphis, TNND 8
April 6James "Tut" JacksonDayton, OHLK 5
April 19Kid RoscoeMemphis, TNKO 2
May 16Kid RoscoeNashville, TNTK 4
June 5Theodore "Tiger" FlowersAtlanta, GaKO 2
June 19Ed "Bearcat" WrightGalveston, TXD 12
July 17Ed "Bearcat" WrightTulsa, OKKO 5
Aug. 4"Big" Bill TateTulsa, OKW 12
Aug. 11Brad SimmonsWichita, KSW 10
Aug. 20Jack TaylorSioux City, IAND 10
Sept. 22Battling OwensEl Paso, TXKO 7
Oct. 6Cyclone SmithEl Paso, TXKO 2
Oct.Ted JamiesonChicago, ILND 10
Oct. 20Jack TaylorJuarez, MexicoW 15
Nov. 5Jack TaylorJuarez, MexicoD 15
Nov. 10Jim BarryDouglas, AZD 10
Nov. 21James "Tut" JacksonMexicoKO 1
Dec. 1"Big" Bill TateMexicoW 8
Dec. 12Jack TaylorMexicoKO 8
Dec. 24Kid RoscoeMexicoKO 3
Dec. 27Sonny GoodrichSan Antonio, TXKO 5
1923
Feb. 15Tom McCartyAlbuquerque, NMKO 2
March 2Jim TraceyMexico City, MexicoKO 6
March 17"Chihuahua" Kid BrownMexico City, MexicoKO 1
March 31Jim SavageMexico City, MexicoKO 1
April 8Andres BalsasMexico City, MexicoKO 6
April 13"Chihuahua" Kid BrownTorrean, MexicoKO 3
May 6Andres BalsasMexico City, MexicoKO 3
May 16Art SuransMexico City, MexicoKO 3
May 19Jack VoigtMexico City, MexicoKO 11
June 15Jim TraceyMexico City, MexicoKO 4
July 27Clem JohnsonJuarez, MexicoLK 13
Aug.Ed "Bearcat" WrightMexico City, MexicoLK 9
Aug."Fireman" Jim FlynnMexico City, MexicoW 10
Oct. 19"Fireman" Jim FlynnMexico City, MexicoKO 3
Nov. 14Andres BalsasMexico City, MexicoKO 15
Dec. 11Kid RoscoeMexico City, MexicoKO 1
Dec. 21Sonny GoodrichSan Antonio, TXL 10
1924
Jan. 6"Fireman" Jim FlynnJuarez, MexicoW 8
Jan. 20Tom RileyJuarez, MexicoKO 2
Feb. 6James "Tut" JacksonMexicoKO 9
March 6Kid NolanVenice, CAKO 5
April 18Sam OlsonBakersfield, CAW 4
April 23Eddie TrembleyVenice, CAL 4
May 4Eddie TrembleyVenice, CAKO 3
July 7Sydney GrantMexico City, MexicoKO 4
Aug. 17Jim BriggsMexico City, MexicoW 6
Sept. 10Kid NolanMexico City, MexicoKO 2
Oct. 7Jim BriggsMexico City, MexicoKO 8
1925
?Tim Sullivan D 6
?Battling Gahee L 8
Jan. 14Wolf LarsenMexicoKO 7
Feb. 10Jack TaylorMexicoKO 8
April 5Frolin GonzalesMexicoW 10
May 11Jim BriggsMexicoKO 4
May 22Wolf LarsenMexicoKO 13
Dec. 7Tim SullivanFort Bliss, TXD 6
1926
July 1Young Jack JohnsonShawnee, OKKO 2
Aug. 2Brad SimmonsDrumright, OKLK 1

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Other Resources

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The International Boxing Hall of Fame has a biography of Langford

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International Boxing Hall of Fame

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