Sam Langford said Jack Dempsey was the greatest fighter he ever seen. When asked who he thought would win between Jack Dempsey v Harry Wills:
Sam Langford, when asked how Harry Wills (whom he fought 18 times in his career) would do against Jack Dempsey, said in the June 5, 1922, Atlanta Constitution "Well if he ever fights Dempsey my money will be on the present champion. Dempsey is the greatest fighter I have ever seen. He hits twice as hard as Jim Jeffries and is as fast in the ring as James J. Corbett."
They had great respect for one another. Dempsey would also extend the same respect and cite Langford as the greatest fighter we ever had. Joe Jeannette, who fought Jack Johnson 6x, said Langford was the best he had ever fought.
Sam understood the politics of boxing back then. Though he expressed his hope that Dempsey would give Wills his title shot (which he actually signed a contract to do at least twice), he also knew that there are lots of other factors that determine how or if a fight gets made. When Jack Johnson drew the color line during his reign as champion, Sam never got his shot. Nor did Jeannette or McVea.
Sam Langford, when asked how Harry Wills (whom he fought 18 times in his career) would do against Jack Dempsey, said in the June 5, 1922, Atlanta Constitution "Well if he ever fights Dempsey my money will be on the present champion. Dempsey is the greatest fighter I have ever seen. He hits twice as hard as Jim Jeffries and is as fast in the ring as James J. Corbett."
They had great respect for one another. Dempsey would also extend the same respect and cite Langford as the greatest fighter we ever had. Joe Jeannette, who fought Jack Johnson 6x, said Langford was the best he had ever fought.
Sam understood the politics of boxing back then. Though he expressed his hope that Dempsey would give Wills his title shot (which he actually signed a contract to do at least twice), he also knew that there are lots of other factors that determine how or if a fight gets made. When Jack Johnson drew the color line during his reign as champion, Sam never got his shot. Nor did Jeannette or McVea.
louis54
Comment