Name: Career Record: click Alias: Tar Baby Nationality: Canadian Birthplace: Weymouth, Nova Scotia Born: 1883-03-04 Died: 1956-01-12 Age at Death: 72 Height: 5' 6� Reach: 72" Division: Manager: Joe Woodman

He was a little man. He only Stood 5'6" yet he was known as "the giant killer." This fighter who beat the biggest and toughest of them all from to heavyweight. There was , Jack O'Brien, two World champions, and both went down under his blows. And yet the strange part of it is that this boxer, the hardest hitter in history never became a world's champion. And why? Because he was too good! This Is the story of Sam Langford, the Nova Scotia Tar Baby. Sam was born in Weymouth, a thriving lumber port In Southern Nova Scotia, on March 4th., 1886. During the American War of Independence, over 2000 negro slaves escaped from the plantations to join the British Army in City. And there they fought as soldiers in the battle of Harlem Heights. When the British evacuated New York by ship in 1783, they took negro soldiers along with them. Soon after, these negroes were settled in Nova Scotia in and around Halifax, Digby, Weymouth and Saint John.

William Langford, Sam's great-grandfather, was among them. He was the son of a father, a short, stocky lumberjack who was recognized as the toughest and strongest log drawer an the Sissiboo River. Sam was one of many children in the Langford family who lived in an old shanty on the outskirts of Weymouth. His early life was hard. He had little schooling for at the age of eleven, he left home to work in Digby as ox-driver and log hauler, earning a dollar and a quarter a week with board. To visit his home In Weymouth, he had to Walk the thirty six miles there and back because he didn't have the 60 cents for train fare. At twelve he shipped as sailor on a tramp steamer. But soon after, the vessel was wrecked in a storm off the New Brunswick coast and the crew had to take to the lifeboats. At 14, short, loose-limbed and strong, he rode the freight cars and worked his way through Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It was a tough life. He often met up with tramps and vagabonds who would pick a fight with the negro boy and Sam soon learned how to take care of himself. He crossed the border-into Maine, New Hampshire and .

One November morning he jumped off a freight train on the outskirts of Boston, with his only friend, a stray dog. He headed for the city and walked into a small drug store and asked if he could get some work as he hadn't eaten for two days. Joe Woodman, the owner, fed him and gave him a job as janitor in the gymnasium which he operated as a sideline.

Sam watched the professional boxers train and studied their styles. When some boxers ran short of a sparring partner Sam put on the gloves. This skinny youngster was belted around the ring, yet he always came back for more. Sam Langford, the little coloured boy who was soon to beat the world champions! In the evenings, he worked as a waiter in a nearby tavern. One night, a huge, heavy set dock hand came in, had a few drinks, and decided to leave without paying. As he neared the door, Sam jumped over the counter and asked him for the money. The man laughed and roughly shoved him aside. Sam went sprawling to the floor. He leapt up, tore Into the ruffian and buried his fist in his stomach. The big man crumpled in a heap. When Woodman heard about what bad happened, he realized that Sam had possibilities, and so he entered him in the city amateur boxing tournament. And Langford was crowned featherweight champion of Boston. That same year, at the early age of 15, he started on his career, with Woodman as his manager. He trained hard, up at six every morning, running, chopping wood, lifting weights. boxing, boxing all the time. This exercise packed on twenty pounds of muscle, and at sixteen he weighed 140 at a height of 5'5''. From 16 to seventeen he was in 45 matches and he took them all except one, and that was lost by a close decision.

Soon there was only one lightweight he hadn't defeated, and he was the world champion, Joe Gans. Gans, "the, old master," the greatest lightweight that ever donned a pair of gloves. On December 8th, 1903, Langford met Gans in a non-title match. Gans, the veteran, tail and finely muscled, confident of quick victory; Langford, young, short and chunky, uncertain of the outcome. The bell. Gans tore across the ring and caught Sam in his corner. A flurry of blows that drove Langford to the ropes. They clinched. Gans punched Langford in the mouth Sam smashed him back in the stomach. The champ brought up an uppercut that knocked Sam's head back. Sam was hanging on the ropes with Gans in on him trying for the . The referee separated them. Toe to toe now, they ripped body punches at each other. Langford swayed under the attack and retreated. The bell. For four rounds Gans pounded the youngster, but round five. Sam threw a vicious right and followed up with one to the ribs. Gans was hurt Langford closed in, Gans was down, four, five, six , he staggered to his feet. Langford leaped in and rammed Gans on the ropes. The champ was tired out. For the next eleven rounds Gans had to use every trick he knew to keep from being knocked out. Sam Langford, the seventeen year old wonder boy, had vanquished the greatest lightweight in the game.

Langford was built for fighting. He had a small waist, huge chest, and arms that reached below his knees. In fact, his arm span was over six feet. He Was getting heavier and more powerful. As a he soon disposed of all the best boxers in that class. And then he got his chance at the title. September 5,1904, and he was in the ring with Joe Walcott. The welterweight champion of the world. Walcott was considered the greatest welterweight of any age, stood only 5' 1" and weighed 145. Being built like a wrestler, he looked as if nothing could knock him down. The referee stood back. The fight was on. Langford set a whirlwind pace and slugged away at Walcott's elusive, weaving body. Walcott was on the defensive. But In round eight, Walcott came out of his shell and for four rounds beat a tattoo of blows on Langford. The fourteenth round Sam leaped out of his chair and before Walcott could even cover up, connected with a right hand swing and two uppercuts. Walcott's face was marked with blood. The champion saw that the title was slipping from his grasp. He forgot all about style and just waded in. Sam stood up to him and returned blow for blow. The final bell rang and they were still at It. The referee had in break them apart. The judge's decision, a draw! The spectators booed and hollered and some even climbed into the ring to protest. "Langford is the champion!" they shouted. And that was the opinion of the newspapermen. The sports editor of the New York Illustrated News wrote, "My personal opinion is that Langford was entitled to the verdict, and should have been awarded the world's title."

It was "easy come, easy go" with Sam when it came to money, jovial, soft spoken, he gave most of his earnings away. All he cared about was boxing, not for its brutality, but because it was a contest of brain, skill and condition. At nineteen he squared off with (6 foot-190 lbs) one of the greatest of the day. Sam battered him to a pulp. Speed, strength, agility and the courage to take all that the ponderous heavyweights could dish out, and give more in return made him the most feared man in the ring. He was small and light, but it was quality and not quantity. that counted. It was he who smashed the old theory that "a good big man is better than a good little man". His boxing style varied and differed with each opponent. In the opening rounds he usually felt out his rival and when he had him sized up, he would get down to business.

Tommy Burns of British Columbia was the champion heavyweight boxer of the world. The two contenders for his title were Langford and . But Burns would not fight either of them. There were no fight athletic commissions in those days and If a boxer champion didn't want to meet a certain challenger he didn't have to. On April 26, 1906 the two heavyweight challengers, Langford and Johnson, met. 28 years old, Johnson, almost six foot tan and weighing 185 pounds, towered over 20-year-old Langford who weighed Just 155 at 5'6". From round one to seven Sam stood up to Johnson and fought him to a standstill. Every time Johnson hurled his famous knockout punch, Sam would duck just in time. Round eight. They clinched. Johnson broke away and walloped a terrific hook to Sam's jaw. Sam toppled to the floor. At the count of nine he struggled shakily to his feet. Johnson chopped him down again. Langford, his face swollen and h1s nose broken, wobbled up and hit back desperately. Round Ten. Langford put his whole 155 lbs. behind a straight jab that caught Johnson right under the heart, and Johnson's' face contorted with pain as he fell to the canvas. "Four, five, six" Johnson was back up on his feet and the carnage continued. For 15 rounds Langford held his own with the mighty Jack Johnson, and so savagely did he counterattack that it was Johnson who was the more exhausted at the end. Yes, Johnson won by a decision over a man half a foot shorter and thirty pounds lighter! After the fight Johnson discovered he had broken his hand.

Several years later, a heavier and more experienced Langford was to challenge Johnson who was then world champion, but Johnson had had enough. He was willing to meet anyone, but not Langford! And It was the same with all other boxers. The only way Sam could get a fight was to promise not to go for a knockout. But Sam didn't like that kind of a match. So he sailed to Britain to meet the great British heavyweight, Tiger Smith. Before the Contest, the British fight promoters called Sam to ask him about the choice of the referee. "Why, the referee's been chosen," said Langford "Why you must be mistaken Mr. Langford, you can't do that". And there was a storm of protest. Sam flashed a grin, raised his fist in the air and shook it and laughed. "Here's my referee gentlemen, a referee that can give the right decision every time. " Langford KO.'d Smith In four rounds.

After what happened to Smith, no British boxer would face Langford, so he returned to North America where he met and defeated anyone who dared step in the ring with him. Billy Tate, a negro hercules, bragged in the newspapers that he could knock that half pint, Lang ford, to bits. He got his chance. On the night of the fight, Langford and his seconds entered the ting, and to the wonderment of the crowd, measured off with some chalk a section of the canvass. Then the bout started. Sam swatted the giant about the ring. In the fifth he connected with a thumping right, and Tate folded. His body lay just inside the area Sam had chalked off. Not only did Langford lay Tate out when he wanted, but where he wanted as well!

In 1910 a certain sports editor named Walker penned Langford terribly, he said that Jimmy Flynn, the noted American heavyweight, could flatten him with his first punch. Langford agreed to take him on. When Sam had Flynn all set up, he shouted to Mr. Walker, who sat in the first row, "Hey, Mr. Walker! Here comes your champion " and Langford socked him so hard that Flynn was knocked clear out of the ring and dropped smack into Walker's lap! At twenty-seven, Sam became a real heavyweight. At 5'6" he weighed a solid 180 pounds., His measurements Were enormous his arms were 17" and his chest 471/2 . He was Invincible.

Years passed. In 1920, at 34, he was going as strong as ever, bowling over opponents right and left. At 36 he was matched with the celebrated . Round four. Langford, as was his style, took a great deal of the blows on his head. All of a sudden he looked for Flowers but couldn't see him. Everything before him was blurred. The ring floor, the referee and his opponent weren't there! "There was something the matter for the moment with my eyes." Sam kept cool "I'll let Flowers come and get me and then I ..." Flowers obliged and when in close, Sam put all he had behind one punch. He heard a gasp and then a thud, Flowers was flat on his back! Sam worked his way back to his comer. The doctors warned Sam that the optic nerve in his head had been severely injured that one eye was blind and the other so badly damaged that If he didn't stop fighting he would lose the sight of that one, also. But Langford was broke. If I can only earn some money, he'd Say, then I'll be able to retire. A year later, more than half blind, he KO'd the champion of Spain and after that his old rival, Jimmy Flynn.

In 1928, still boxing at the age of 41, he came back to Weymouth, his home town, and planned to settle down on a small farm. But the drastic need of an eye operation made him change his plans. The operation, In , was unsuccessful, and soon after he went completely blind. But he was not forgotten.

In 1937, Mayor LaGuardia, one of his admirers, heard of his plight and got him a job, and several years ago, the American statesman, Jim Farley, with some friends, sponsored a ring show for Langford's benefit.

SAM LANGFORD … "HE EVEN PREDICTED WHERE THEY WOULD LAND" By Tracy Callis Sam Langford engaged in more than 290 fights during his career in different weight classes, ranging from lightweight to heavyweight. He was ready, willing, and able to meet any man who would get into the ring with him. Physically, Sam was short and stocky with bulky shoulders and strong arms. His reach was very long for a man of his height. He was described as quick and slippery as an eel in action by Fleischer (1939 p 155). Langford’s boxing skills were almost unlimited. He could fight at close quarters or a long range. He would attack the head or body with a two-handed barrage of punches that packed power in both fists. He would duck, feint, block, move in, move out, and shift his attack quickly upstairs or down. His timing was excellent. He used jabs, hooks, combinations, wide swings, short chops and mixed his punches beautifully. Also, he was as game as they come with a great capacity for taking punishment. Fleischer (1939 p 123) asserted that regardless of which weight class he belonged to at the time, there was first rate fighting talent present but many of them dodged him because Langford was such a skilled pugilist. Even the champions avoided him. (He did find some takers among the heavyweights because they were larger than he was). The result of all this was that – in order to get fights (and eat) – Langford often had to agree to "carry" his opponents. Sam, along with Jack Johnson, Joe Jeannette, and Sam McVey comprised a magnificent foursome of black fighters during the early part of this century. These men and other blacks were forced to fight each other on black cards many times and usually provided their own toughest competition. They traveled the country and fought in what the late boxing historian, Tim Leone, referred to as the "chitlin’ trail". For example, Langford fought 18 bouts with , 15 with Sam McVey, 14 with Joe Jeannette, 13 with Jeff Clarke, 10 with "Battling" , 9 each with and Jack Thompson, 7 with "Young" Peter Jackson, 5 each with "Bearcat" Wright, Lee Anderson, and Andy Watson, 4 each with Larry Temple and Dave Holly, and 3 each with big George Godfrey and Bradford Simmons. Historians are not certain as to the exact number of bouts between these men due to the lack of record-keeping at the time but at least the above numbers were fought. Further, Sam demolished a number of the "White Hopes" who were chasing after Jack Johnson’s Heavyweight Championship but were still willing to take a chance with him [Langford] – Ed "Gunboat" Smith, Andre Anderson, Bob Devere, Dan "Porky" Flynn, Jim Barry, "Fireman" Jim Flynn, Tony Ross, John "Sandy" Ferguson, and Tom "Bearcat" McMahon. He beat several of these men many times. In addition to the above mentioned fights, Langford pulverized the best European fighters too – knocking out James "Tiger" Smith, Jeff Thorne, William "Iron" Hague, and Matthew "P.O." Curran during trips to Europe. Some well-known champions bit the dust against Sam as well (but not for the title). He beat Joe Gans in 1903, knocked out the Dixie Kid in 1909 and 1910, knocked out "" Jack O’Brien in 1911, and knocked out Tiger Flowers in 1922. Stockton (1977 p 33) said "Langford had all the attributes of a great fighter, speed, punching power, an amazingly elusive defense, the ability to absorb punishment, and unlimited endurance". Lardner (1972 p 177) described Langford as being short and squat, a gnomelike man who had a long reach and incredible strength. Joe Jeannette once called Langford "the best all-around heavyweight" and said Sam hit him harder than anyone he ever fought. Harry Wills called Langford the best fighter he ever fought. "Fireman" Jim Flynn, who fought such men as Jack Johnson, , Luther McCarty, Ed "Gunboat" Smith, and many others said "the hardest hitter I ever faced was Langford" (see Weston 1954 pg 20 58). Cannon (1978 p 89) quoted Jack Dempsey as saying "Sam probably would have knocked me out". Hugh McIntosh, famous promoter of that period, rated Sam Langford as the greatest fighter of the time, even better than Jack Johnson (see Fleischer 1939 p 166). Grombach (1977 p 51) said Langford was probably the only fighter who could have extended Jack Johnson. Many writers have expressed the idea that Johnson was afraid of Langford and that Sam almost beat Johnson in their 1906 non-title bout. The fact is that Johnson gave Sam a solid beating, knocking him down and probably out (except for a slow count). Langford said "… he [Johnson] gave me the only real beating I ever took" (see Fleischer 1939 p 141). Fleischer (1939 p 154) elaborated on the subject and said Sam never could have beaten Johnson. He called Langford a giant-killer but says the giants Sam put to sleep never possessed Johnson’s science, power, and ring generalship. He later wrote (1969 p 79) that Johnson beat Langford decisively and was the complete master of the situation. When Johnson beat Langford in their 1906 match, Jack weighed 187 pounds to Sam’s 156. Johnson probably did beat Sam soundly but realized that Langford possessed quickness and power to the extent that when Sam reached 180 pounds or so, he [Johnson] preferred not to risk a fight with him. In spite of his wonderful skills, Sam never got a shot at a title. Carpenter (1975 p 45) called Langford "the finest boxer never to get a shot at a world title". Houston (1975 p 24) said Sam was probably the greatest contender who never won the title and described him as possessing "great punch-anticipation". Gutteridge (1975 p 93) wrote that Langford was perhaps the greatest non-champion of all. "Dumb" Dan Morgan, famous fight manager, once compared Langford with by saying "Langford, who was a scientific knocker-outer, would crowd Louis, either lead to him or counter him, and take whatever Joe could dish out. I think Sam would finish Joe in about six or seven rounds of real slugging" (see McCallum 1975 p 46). Langford, who spoke with a lisp (Ise Tham Langfod), was a happy-go-lucky man with a keen sense of humor. His fighting philosophy was simple – "what dat otha man wanna do – don’t let ‘em do it". He often predicted the outcome of a bout and was so good at it, he could be called "the Prophet". He shook hands with Morris Harris in the seventh-round of a ten- rounder, told him it was his last round, then kayoed him. He stepped off six feet at a particular spot in the ring for Bill Tate, then knocked him out there. He deposited "Fireman" Jim Flynn in the lap of columnist Beany Walker (at ringside), who had once said Flynn deserved a win in a previous bout with Langford. In fact, Sam always brought the referee with him – one who gave the "right" verdict – his powerful right fist (see Weston 1954 pg 59 60 and Houston 1975 pg 24 25). Diamond (1954 p 82) wrote "Sam Langford was a great fighter in an age of great fighters. In proportion to his height and weight there never was a greater fighting man. He was not the greatest of fighters but undoubtedly was one of the best". Langford was a very good fighter in every weight class he fought – particularly as a light-heavyweight and heavyweight. Charley Rose, old time fighter and manager, rated Langford as the best heavyweight of all-time. , boxing historian and founder of The Ring, ranked Langford as the seventh best heavyweight in boxing history. In the opinion of this writer, Langford was the fourth best light-heavyweight ever.

The following information about Sam ( old tham) is taken from an article written in 1944 it tells I think a lot about the character of the man.

By 1944 he was blind and broke with a regular daily routine. Gets up early and 2 small boys would take him to a local place for breakfast, back in his room by 10am where he would listen to the radio till late afternoon when he would go out to eat again.

The reporter said of him that he was intelligent and extremely amiable man, eager for company and delighted someone had taken the trouble to look him up. He had a fine memory and remarkable store of stories which he told with a hearty chuckle.

“ He bears no malice towards no man, despite the fact he was pushed around no little in the days when he was the dark terror of the prize ring and the champions and many other fighter with a reputation studiously avoided him”

One of the best stories is when he came out for the 4th round in a 10 round bout and touched the gloves with his opponent, who tried to tell Sam it wasn’t the last round. “Oh yes it is,” Sam replied, and it was.

When word got around about his situation a group of guys got together to promote a fund for Sam and funds began to come in for him.

A 1956 article by Red Smith refers back to the above 1944 report by which time Sam had died. The original articles paints a picture of Sam as a tragic figure. This he says was not the case as Sam said “I fought maybe three, four hundred fights and everyone a pleasure”

To skip back a few years, 1925 to be exact, we find Sam broke but with no regrets. At that time he was getting by as a shadow boxer and instructor. Sam said he was “ done for by wine and women” , “ I’d be fighting yet if I had watched my step, but I had a good time while it lasted, why worry”

Sam was very proud of being born in Boston “ I’se an Irish niggah born in the top floor of Boston”

What a guy

Some of the following information was taken from an article written in 1935 when Sam was aged 49

Boston Tar Baby Recalls some of his biggest bouts

A squat black man wide of shoulder but fumbling his way, a cap drawn down low over his sightless eyes followed a piloting friend into the sport dept. It was Sam Langford, the Boston tar baby, once as great a ring warrior as the heavyweights knew. He came for a check for $25 which a Baltimore admirer from the old days sent him in care of the Associated Press after leaning that “Tham” was having a tough time. “Mighty nice ah still got friends”

It was the same amount Sam had received for his very first fight in Boston in 1901 when he knocked out Jack Vickers. He fought for seven years with one eye – which know one new – after Fred Fulton landed a right to his temple in 1917. A cataract has blinded the eye Fulton left him.

Sam had made hundreds of thousands of dollars and got as high as $10,000 fro flattening Ian Haig, Champion of England in 1909.

“First thing I learned was you didn’t break no knuckles hittin’em in the body. So I hit’em there. They sure come down when you hit’em right”

The toughest fight was , in 1914, with Harry Wills ( the black menace ) who he floored three times in the 1st , three in the 2nd again in the 3rd and with a ko in the 14th. Sam said “ Ah sure was glad to get rid of that man that night”

The greatest fighter of them all in those days was another Negro, Joe Walcott, the Barbadoes demon who never weighed as much as 150 pounds yet knocked out good heavyweights.

“ Fifteen rounds I fought him in a draw in Manchester in 1904 and man could he hit. He hit me on the chin with a right in the sixth and for three rounds I couldn’t swallow. I saw him hit a heavyweight one punch in the liver, and that mans side turned chalk white, then red as if you painted it”

“Walcott could take these heavyweights today and lick’em laughing , he’d tear the body out of a man as big as Carnera”

The last heavyweight fighter Sam was able to see, due to his eyesight, was Jack Dempsey and he said of him “ Dempsey could punch with anyone he never needed to have no fear of Wills, one round maybe two was all it;d take him”. Dempsey in his prime and Walcott at his best – there in Sam’s mind would have been the greatest punching duel of all time

He was asked “ But wouldn’t Walcott at even 150 have been to small for the man mauler ?” And replied “man, that Walcott wasn’t to little for nobody” MEMORIES By Nat Fleischer

The Ring March 1950 Pg. 25-21.

Sam Langford was a great fighter, but something less than a great second. Sam was seconding another fighter during a scrap held in the bull ring at Juarez one Sunday afternoon. When the fighter came back to the corner, his manager said:

“You’re getting’ hit with a left hook. Watch out for his hook punch. He’s hittin’ you all the time with a left hook.”

This infuriated Sam.

“What do you tell him that for?” he asked. “Doan tell he’s gittin’ hit wit’ a left hook and doan even know about it. Anytime a man gits hit wit’ a left hook and he doan know it, den he wants to git out of the boxin’ business and git himself a job on a farm.”

The fighter went out again. When he returned after the next round, his manager said: “Take it easy. You’re tired. You’re very tired.” Again Sam blew up.

“What you tell him foh he’s tired?” Sam asked in disgust. “If he’s tired, doan HE know it?” The manager argued. Sam responded by chasing him out of the ring. The fighter got back again after the next heat and found only Sam waiting for him. Sam sponged him off but said nothing. He watched him awhile. Finally the fighter asked: “What should I hit him with Sam?” Sam didn’t answer. The fighter was getting anxious. “Sam,” he pleaded, “will you tell me what to hit him with?” “Yeah,” Sam retorted, “I’ll tell you what to hit him with. Sho I will.” “Well,” said the fighter as the precious seconds ticked away, “what should I hit him with?” “Hit him with SUMPIN, “ Sam said, “hit him with SUMPIN’!”

The Indianapolis Star

28 April 1910

Ketchel Strong In Six Round Battle

Bell saved Langford When Michigan Fighter lands left In Sixth Round

CALL DRAW FAIR DECISION

Spectators agree colored pugilist Sam Langford of Boston and of Michigan met tonight in the arena of the National*Athletic Club in a six round bout, and at the end there was little to choose between the men, If anything, Langford had a slight advantage, but a draw would have been a fair decision.

After the first round both men fought viciously, Ketchel playing for the colored man’s body, while the Boston fighter used a straight left, varied occasionally with a right uppercut It was one of these damaging blows which caught Ketchel flush on the nose near the close of the third round and started the blood flowing in a stream. Langford thereafter played for the damaged organ, driving his long felt straight to the face repeatedly. This attack seemed to unnerve Ketchel and he swung wildly at times, while Langford was always cool.

As the men rushed to a clinch Just as the bell sounded for the close of the fourth round, Ketchel drove a vicious left into Langford's body and the colored- fighter's eyes closed and his mouth opened. He was plainly hurt, but what might have proved a dangerous situation for him was averted by the bell.

Ketchel Forces Fighting

Ketchel pursued his usual tactics of forcing the fighting. There was not a moment during the battle that he was not right on top of Langford, never allowing him to get set, This was the part of Wisdom, for Langford easily outboxed Ketchel.

There was not a mark on either man As they emerged from the ring, but Langford appeared to be the fresher. The National Athletic Club, where the Sam Langford-Stanley Ketchel fight took place, was packed to the doors long before the first bout, which was scheduled for 8:30, was put on, Not In the history of the club has there been such a representative assemblage of sporting men as that which surrounded the ring, Every large city from Chicago to Boston was represented. It was estimated that there was a gate of nearly $30,000, From New York there came a special train of six cars while Pittsburg Baltimore, Washington, , Cleveland, Boston and other large cities contributed their quota

The principals were early on the scene. Ketchel, who came over from Woodlawn yesterday, spent the greater part of the day quietly in his room. In the early afternoon he took an automobile ride through Fairmount Park, and after a light supper retired to his room for a short nap, He came to the clubhouse a few minutes after 9 o'clock, looking in the pink of condition.

Langford remained at his training quarters at Merchantville , N. J., until late in the afternoon when, accompanied by George Cole and a retinue of seconds, he was whisked across the country to Philadelphia, The colored man too looked to be in perfect trim, and he sad as much; George Cole, who had watched after Langford’s training since the Boston man's arrival here, fresh from his victory over Barry In , said that Langford's condition was perfect.

Jim Flynn, who came all the way from the coast to challenge the winner of tonight's bout, sat close to the ringside, Before the main event he appeared in the ring and formally challenged the winner.

Round 1

The men advanced cautiously, Ketchel was the first to lead with a light left for the wind. Langford missed leftand right and Ketchel tapped the colored man on the head, The clinched and in the break Langford landed a left on wind, Langford missed repeatedly, Ketchel was forcing the fighting. He landed a left on the wind and a right to the same place as the bell rang. Not a solid bow was struck,

Round 2.

Both advanced quickly to the center. Langford tried a left for the head, In A mixup Langford sent two good lefts to the wind as Ketchel drove right to head and again to wind. Langford sent a left to head. Each landed lefts to head and Ketchel sent right to wind, Another mixup and clinch and the referee had to pull the men apart. Ketchel landed left to wind as the bell rang, As In round Ketchel did the forcing

Round 3

Ketchel started the round with a left lead to the head but was blocked, Langford jabbed two lefts to the to the face. Then sent Ketchel's head back with a straight rlght. Both landed lefts on the wind

Langford jabbed left to the mouth and drove a hard right to the wind, and Ketchel sent a left to face and, then Clinched. Ketchel sent Langford's head back with a hard left and repeated the blow a second later. Langford missed a left uppercut and Ketchel drove a hard left to the face. They were clinched at the bell.

Round 4.

Up to this time Ketchel was doing all the forcing. He did not let the colored man get set. Ketchel led left to the wind and they clinched Langford sent two hard lefts to the jaw, and Ketchel was more careful. Ketchel drove a, hard right to wind. Langford brought the blood from Ketchel’s nose with a stiff left. Langford chopped a hard left to the nose and the blood came from the injured member in a stream. Ketchel sent a hard right to the wind and Langford uppercut a hard one to the chin, This was Langford's round by a good margin.

Round 5

Ketchel led with a light left to the face and then sent a hard right to jaw. Langford again punched the damaged nose, starting the blood afresh. Langford sent left to face and Ketchel’s right to the body. Both drove lefts to the face and Ketchel sent a hard right to the nose. Ketchel missed a terrific uppercut and they clinched. Ketchel landed right on wind and Langford uppercut to chin- Langford swung a right as the bell rang, but fell to the floor.

Round 6

Langford lifted Ketchel off the floor with an uppercut. Both drove hard lefts to the head and in a clinch Ketchel pounded Langford's stomach and Langford again started the blood flowing and he slugged Ketchel with a right to the wind, Ketchel was weak and Langford sent his head back repeatedly, Ketchel was weak on his legs and they clinched repeatedly. Langford played for the damaged nose and had Ketchel covered with blood when the bell rang.

LANGFORD FLYNN

17 March 1910

Gallant Jim Flynn Sent To Dreamland

By Dusky Langford

Chopping Right Uppercut Lands him in

The Land Of Birds In Eighth – Dazed

Upon Rising “Fireman” Cannot Understand Fight is Over.

A Gingery Set -To

The term "sent to dreamland" Is sometimes used without due consideration in describing prize fights, but Jim Flynn certainly took the trip at Vernon arena this afternoon.

He dropped face downward after receiving a whizzing right uppercut from Sam Langford in the eighth round, and al-though he managed to pull himself together and stand swaying on his feet before twelve seconds had elapsed, his senses were still dulled.

In his semi-consciousness Flynn thought he had arisen within the time limit and was qualified to continue boxing, but referee Eyton sorrowfully informed him that the fight was over and shouldered him gently towards his corner.

AIL this time grinning Sam Langford was rushing around the' ring shaking hands with 'his well wishers and saying: 'id ha' done for him that last time, only I wasn't in condition” Flynn seemed dazed for many minutes after receiving the settling, blow. As he reclined in his corner it was hard was to make him understand that the battle had been fought He finally grasped the situation and they took him to his dressing room.

Crammed With Action.

It would be difficult to conceive a ring event more crammed with action, Flynn fought desperately from bell to bell in every round and any slowing up that Langford engaged in was merely for the purpose of locating an opening for his right uppercut, the smash with which he won out.

Langford would have been a thickhead Indeed if he did not devote some of the time to taking observations, for Flynn, under instruction from his corner, would cover up like a hedgehog in some of the later rounds. It was on such occasions that. Sam held his fire and sized up the situation, and Sam's inactivity—there were very brief spells of it at that had a misleading effect on the crowd. The spectators thought Sam was tiring, but he was only studying the puzzle and Flynn's defense certainly was puzzling on occasion.

It can hardly be said, that the result will be even in doubt. The difficulty between Flynn and Langford is the difference between a fighter who mauls and one who measures, Flynn whaled away continuously with little regard to distance or direction; -Langford did not start his blow .until the proper moment and as a rule he made the punches tell.

"One Best Bet."

The uppercut which terminated the fight is certainly Langfords one best bet It is unlike Johnson's uppercut, for Jack, as a rule, stands upright when delivering 'his famous blow, Langford twists his body to the right and has such command of his punishing punch that he can hook it under,a pair of crossed forearms and then reach the target. , He used it in the first round of to-day's encounter and Flynn's bruised and bleeding face as he went to his corner bore 'testimony, to the accuracy of the negro's hitting He still used it in the succeeding rounds and when he held it in reserve for a while it was only because, as stated before, Flynn barricaded his face effectually and forced his opponent to watch more closely for openings.

You would not have given much for Flynn's chances when the first round ended, nor did the prospects appear any brighter for the fireman In the third round when he flopped on his stomach from the effects of an uppercut extremely similar to the ones that ended the fight Flynn was up within the ten seconds, however, and from the energetic manner In which he was lashing out in the concluding seconds of the round it.did not look as though he had been rattled to any extent by the Knockdown blow

Some Close Work

It was in the fourth round that Langford ford took a bit of a rap. Flynn, who is always the first to begin hostilities, had a trick of covering up and rushing to close quarters. The fireman aimed to place his head beneath his opponent's chin and while in this position he hammered away at the ribs and sides of the head. His blows were of the short arm variety, however, and I do not think that he struck the colored man one really hurtful smash during the whole fight.

Although Langford made less use of the uppercut in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds, he stabbed Flynn repeatedly with a straight left and he threw in some solid body blows. Flynn; as usual hooked and poked in a persistent way. He was so busy that he hardly took time to draw his elbow back before delivering a punch, but he had little regard as to where his blows fell, There might be such a thing as Langford being worn down by Flynn but that is about the only way the fireman could win from the negro, Flynn is always too. busy with little punches at close quarters to shine as a knockout specialist. There was some blood on Langford's lips in the fifth round and at the end of the sixth the negro's right cheek –was bruised. In the seventh Langford was so inactive for a while and Flynn so extremely energetic that the crowd, which clearly sympathized with the white man, began cheering.

It was thought that Sam was a victim of the hurricane pace that Flynn was rendering his dusky opponent tamer every minute, but Langford was simply holding his fire and marking down openings.Toward the end of the three minutes he cut loose again with his uppercuts, and this time he brought both gloves into play. The first punch was stinging enough to partly daze Flynn and demoralize his defense. Noticing that the fireman did not throw his forearms across his face, Sam whipped In one ripping punch after another, and the bell-sounded at a lucky moment for Flynn, The Pueblo man walked to his corner with none too firma step,

Exciting Finish,

The concluding round was an exciting one. In the beginning Flynn, who as usual had rushed into a clinch, used short arm blows on the negro's body and face and Langford at that time did not Tight back. Sam tried to push Flynn away the better to employ his uppercut, but Flynn stuck to him like glue, Langford suddenly backed away under Flynn's pressing, and the body blows Flynn began to send in seemed more promising punches than any he had previously delivered.

Flynn carried Langford to the ropes and Jim's friends were jubilant. They thought that the negro was surely caving in under the merciless rushing and buffeting. The two men worked to mid- ring, clinched and Broke .Flynn then lowered his head with the evident purpose of tearing into close quarters. As he did so Langford stepped back a pace and then sent in the finishing uppercut. It was delivered with the full sweep of Langford's arm and there was nothing to Intercept it It took Flynn between the chin and the mouth and dropped him to the floor,

The fight will always be remembered for its speed and spitefulness, Flynn, although he lost, has enhanced his reputation as a game ring man. While for that matter there was nothing in Langford’s actions to-day to suggest that he is not as stout hearted as the man he whipped.