By: Karim Shawwa
 
 

Introduction

Sam Langford also known as (The Boston Tar Baby) has been known for one of the greatest boxers in the world. Sam Langford was born in Weymouth Falls NS 1886 he died on the 12^th of January 1956. His Cambridge Massachusetts grave gave him a better headstone. CBC did a 1-hour drama on Sam Langford’s life. When he was 14 years old he went to find work in Boston. He found a job in a small boxing club owned by Joe Woodman. Woodman trained Langford and became his manager. Langford fought many heavyweight boxers and beat most of them. He traveled around the world as the uncrowned champion, but couldn’t win a title. In 1917 he lost sight in one eye then 7 years later became totally blind.
 
 

His Career

On Dec the 8^th 1903, Langford fought Joe Gans. He was the current lightweight champion and Langford won in 5 rounds, losing his first two, winning the next 3. 2 weeks later he fought Jack Blackburn. Blackburn won over 12 rounds. On Sept the 5^th 1904, Langford was matched against Joe Walcott. They fought for 15 rounds until it was declared a draw. Langford was in the process of showing the world what he can do. On April 26^th 1906, Langford fought Jack Johnson, the future heavyweight champion. Johnson weighed 185 pounds. He clearly won the fight but would never fight Langford again. Langford went to London to take challengers like Tiger Smith and Iron Hague. He traveled to San Francisco knocked out Fireman (Jimmy Flynn) in the 1^st round.

Stan Ketchel, the middleweight champion, fought Langford in a 6 round non-title bout, which was declared a no-decision. Langford knocked out Jack O’Brien, the current Light Heavyweight champion, in 5 rounds on Aug the 15th. O’Brien quipped after the fight, "When Langford appeared upon the scene of combat you knew you were cooked."

Langford was not allowed to get his title so Langford began to fight the best black fighters over again. He had 18 bouts with Harry Wills. Langford also fought Joe Jeannette, a strong and fast heavyweight out of New Jersey who Langford fought 14 times. Sam McVey, from California, was 210-pound boxer who fought with Langford 15 times.

Langford did get paid a small amount of money. Langford retired in 1926. He lived a hard life until a reporter came in 1944 and set up a trust fund for Langford. He lived the rest of his life in some comfort. 

Langford finished with a record of 167-38-37(177), 48 ND, 3 NC. Langford was the first non-champion to be put in the international hall of fame. His memory is kept alive at the Sam Langford Community Centre in Weymouth Falls NS.

Langford was a great champion who suffered through his career. He didn’t win a title because he was black. They didn’t want a black champion though he won many fights against heavyweight champions in America. He held titles in Spain, England and Mexico.

Blair Cromwell ‘The Boston Tar Baby’ Internet http://www.infotechnology.org/blair/sam1.html (2001)

Don Bell et al ‘The Internet Boxing Records Archive’ Internet.http://www2.xtdl.com/~brasslet//Langford_Sam_bio.htm (2001)

Russell K. Grosse ‘Black Cultural Centre For Nova Scotia’ Internet. http://www.bccns.com/sam.htm (2001)

John N. Grant. Black Nova Scotians. Nova Scotia Museum. 1984

Bridglal Pachai. Blacks. Nova Scotia Department of culture, recreation and fitness. 1987