Customer Reviews

Sam Langford: Boxing's Greatest Uncrowned Champion

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Clay Moyle's book is a superb example as to how to write a boxer's biography. Providing many hitherto unpublished - if not unknown - facts about the life and career of the "Boston Tar Baby" (b. 1883, d. 1956, fought professionally from 1902 to 1926, in prime around 1908 to 1912, started losing sight in 1917) and many of his opponents (for example, Moyle explains what became of the long-forgotten boxer Danny Duane, who easily defeated both the young Langford and the highly-skilled Jack Blackburn, yet gave up what would seem to have been a very promising boxing career), the author sprinkles his book with many interesting, oftentimes funny, anecdotes about his subject. Of course, the best aspects of this book for boxing fans are Moyle's descriptions of Langford's boxing style and abilities (including accounts of when and against whom he started to utilize certain tactics and techniques); his accounts of Langford's major bouts - sometimes seemingly providing a 'blow-by-blow' description of the action; the many cited opinions of Langford's opponents and other boxing experts as to his strengths and weaknesses, as well as where he stands among boxing's greats; and, of course, the many fine photographs of the great man and his peers, many of which have never been published before.

My only real complaint about this book is that the author did not provide Langford's official weigh-in weight (and that of his opponent) for more of his bouts (for most fighters, this wouldn't be that big a deal, but, with someone like Langford, who gradually grew from a lightweight into a heavyweight and was competitive in each of the weight divisions between those two classes, it's quite important to know, especially since he often took on fighters who substantially outweighed him). But that's a small quibble given how great this bio is (I hope that the upcoming biographies of Joe Gans and Harry Greb are even 80% as good as this one).

Moyle provides Langford's ring record at the end of the book, as well as an index (which is always handy). As for the chapter titles, they are as follows: 1) Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia (in Canada - it's Langford's birthplace); 2) Champion of Cambridge Street (in Boston); 3) Joe Gans, "The Old Master"; 4) Joe Walcott, "The Barbados Demon"; 5) Tackling the Big Fellows; 6) England; 7) A Black Heavyweight Champion; 8) The Iron Man (William Hague); 9) Chasing the Michigan Assassin (Stanley Ketchel); 10) Encounter With a Razor; 11) Ketchel; 12) The Fight of the Century (Jack Johnson vs Jim Jeffries); 13) The Joplin Ghost (Jeff Clarke); 14) The Rabbit Punch; 15) Australia; 16) Mastering (Sam) McVea; 17) Troubles Down Under; 18) "Gunboat" (Ed Smith); 19) An End to Heavyweight Title Hopes; 20) Passing of the Torch; 21) Heavyweight Champion of Mexico; 22) Retirement; 23) The Forgotten Man.

Sam Langford is typically not on the list of modern boxing historians top ten, or even top twenty-five, but this is their oversight. Sam Langford was a pioneering trailblazer in a young sport.

Clay Moyle is one of many authors revisiting great warriors of the early days of boxing. Recent biographies have been written about Bob Fitzsimmons, Joe Gans and John L Sullivan to name a few.

This tome reads quickly, is highly entertaining and highly informative.

Sam Langford is portrayed as not only a fierce competitor, but also an intelligent, quick-witted and generous man. He had a huge following, but because of the times he fought in, was avoided by the serious contenders and Champions of his day. Although smaller of stature, and lighter than most of the men he fought, he had so much talent that he found ways to break these men down.

Although he lived his advancing years blind and penniless, he refused to give in to bitterness. While he could have fought fighters like Jack Dempsey, Jess Willard and Luis Firpo in big money fights, he had to content himself with fighting the great colored fighters like Sam McVey and Joe Jeannette again and again.

Interestingly, he often carried these fighters through many rounds, because he knew he would have to fight them again, and he wanted to keep interest up for a potential larger gate.

Reading about Langford's life and times opens up new vistas about what it meant to be a black athlete in the early 20th century, and how important a strong mental outlook is in life.

Not only was a biography on Sam Langford A/K/A " The Boston Tar Baby " long overdue but I seriously doubt that anyone could have written a better Biography on Sam than Clay Moyle has. Clay is a reknowned Boxing Writer & Boxing Historian and this Book reflects his passion for Boxing & knowledge of the Sport. This Book is a must-read for any Boxing Fan & is a treasure trove chock full of rare never before published photos + carefully researched facts & anecdotes. Anyone who likes Boxing should read this Book

A great book about one of boxing's best. Sam Langford. Well researched and written with intersting side stories. Read the book, you will not be dissappointed...It truly is a compelling story!

Well written, factual and accurate. Enjoyed the read as it is the only work specifically on Sam Langford that I have read.

This biography of the great African-American boxer from the turn of the last century, Sam Langford is easily one of the best boxing books of the many I've ever read.Not only is Langford's place among the boxing immortal's established but the entire era around the turn of the 20th century in pugilism is recreated for us with insights into the Johnson-Jeffries fight, portraits of Stanley Ketchel and many of the great white hopes. The outstanding black fighters such as Joe Jeannette and Sam McVea and others come back to life in all their glory as well. A truly outstanding read!
Thank you Mr.Moyle.

I have read a lot of historical books on boxing. Often books that are this thorough read like a text book. Sam Langford reads like a novel. It is one of the most detailed boxing history books I have read, yet is never dry.

I also like the fact that while it is clear that the author clearly wants the world to know the story of Sam Langford and how great of a fighter he was, the book does not feel biased. Accounts of his fights and lifestyle are not sugarcoated.

Any fan of the sport will enjoy the book.

Just a great book about an uncrowned champion who deserved the title and the fame that went with it.

Clay Moyle's book is just brilliant, filled with rare photgraphs and stories. Very readable and he doesn't get bogged down with the intricacies of the fights which can get boring.

I hope he writes more books like this one, would LOVE to see a book on Sam McVea and Joe Jeannette written!

Clay Moyle has written a wonderful new biography that is a well-researched and detailed legacy on the life of Sam Langford. It was certainly worth waiting for and is now a prized addition to my library.

James Louis Bacon

Thoroughly researched and well paced biography. Includes lots of rare and interesting photographs of Langford and his principal opponents.

A highly recommended 8 out of 10.