The 1971 Ring Record Book and Boxing Encyclopedia asserted that Sam Langford "... was an extraordinary fighter with a most remarkable record, although he never held a title." Langford became the first non-champion to be elected to Ring magazine’s Hall of Fame. The magazine also voted him the seventh best heavyweight in boxing history. Langford was skilled enough to fight in many different weight classes. Born in Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia, Langford was the great-grandson of William Langford, an escaped slave, protected by the British Army before the mass departure of Black Loyalists to Canada.
During Langford's early years, boxing was more a necessity than a profession. Having run away from home, Langford was involved in manual labour and would often have to protect himself in fights that were common in that line of work. The development of his skills encouraged Sam, at sixteen, to make his boxing debut. He won his first fight. Within eighteen months, Langford fought and defeated the world lightweight champion although this match was not deemed a title bout. Another significant fight took place in 1906, when Langford fought the legendary Jack Johnson, Negro Heavyweight Champion and contender, for the world crown. Johnson defeated Langford in fifteen rounds and would never accept a rematch, for fear of losing his title. During this bout, Jack Johnson weighed in at 200 pounds and Langford weighed in at less that 160 pounds. This gifted athlete aroused so much fear that many other boxers, like Jack Johnson, refused to fight him.
As Langford's career advanced, his sight deteriorated. Relying on his hearing, his knowledge of foot patterns, and his limited vision, Langford still fought with great success until 1924. Without having won a title, Sam Langford was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1955. His home community of Weymouth Falls named a school after him and a plaque in his memory was erected in the local community hall. In 1999, Langford was voted number one among Nova Scotia’s top ten male athletes of the twentieth century.
The 1971 Ring Record Book and Boxing Encyclopedia asserted that Sam Langford "... was an extraordinary fighter with a most remarkable record, although he never held a title." Langford became the first non-champion to be elected to Ring magazine’s Hall of Fame. The magazine also voted him the seventh best heavyweight in boxing history. Langford was skilled enough to fight in many different weight classes. Born in Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia, Langford was the great-grandson of William Langford, an escaped slave, protected by the British Army before the mass departure of Black Loyalists to Canada.
