Sam Langford

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Sam Langford professional boxer headshot

Sam Langford
"The Boston Bonecrusher"
"The Boston Terror"
"The Boston Tar Baby"

178

Wins

30

Losses

38

Draws

None

KO%
  • Birth Name: Contribute
  • Birth Place: Contribute
  • Born: March 04, 1886
  • Died: Contribute
  • Age: 137
  • Height: 5′ 7½″
  • Weight: Contribute
  • Reach: 74″
  • Stance: Orthodox
  • Pro Debut: January 15, 1903
  • Nationality: Canada
  • Status: Inactive
  • Manager: Contribute
  • Promoter: Contribute
  • Total Bouts: 254
  • Total Rounds: 1998

Sam Langford, also known as the "Boston Tar Baby," was a professional boxer whose career spanned more than two decades. Langford fought in a total of 314 bouts, winning 211 of them, losing 43, and drawing 52.

Known for his impressive knockout power, Langford won 126 fights by knockout in his career. Despite his prowess in the ring, Langford never won a world title or defended a title belt. His record also shows that he lost eight fights by knockout.

Langford's first professional fight was against Jack McVicker when he was only 16 years old. Langford won the fight via a fifth-round knockout. Over the course of his career, some of Langford's notable victories include wins over nine Hall-of-Famers, such as Tiger Flowers, George Godfrey, Kid Norfolk, Harry Wills, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Stanley Ketchel, Dixie Kid, Kid Williams, and Joe Gans. He also had victories over Klondike Haynes, Fireman Jim Flynn, William Hague, George McFadden, and Willie Lewis.

Sam Langford's career was extensive, with most of his losses occurring in non-title bouts. He suffered his first loss in 1903, against Danny Duane, via 12 round PTS. Langford lost a total of 43 fights in his professional career, eight of them by knockout, and 35 by decision.

Although Langford had a remarkable career, his sole career highlight was his performance against Joe Gans on December 8, 1903. Langford defeated Gans via a 15th round PTS, a significant milestone in his career.

Langford's last professional fight was a non-title rematch against Brad Simmons at 39 years of age, on August 2, 1925, in which he lost the fight via a first-round TKO. He retired from professional boxing with a record of 211-43-52. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in 1990, signifying his contributions to the sport of boxing.

In conclusion, Sam Langford was a legendary boxer with an impressive record. Although he never won a world title, he had several notable victories and a tremendous knockout record. His performance against Joe Gans remains a significant highlight of his career, and his contributions to the sport of boxing are commendable. Langford's induction into the IBHOF is well-deserved and is a testament to his expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness as a boxing icon.

Sam Langford Fight Record

# Date Age Opponent Result Via
314 Aug 2, 1925 39 Brad Simmons Loss TKO1
313 Jul 1, 1925 39 Young Jack Johnson Win KO2
312 Sep 25, 1925 39 Battling Gahee Loss PTS
311 Apr 5, 1925 39 Frolin Gonzales Win PTS
310 Mar 1, 1925 38 Tim Sullivan Draw PTS
309 Jan 1, 1925 38 Tim Sullivan Draw PTS
308 Sep 10, 1924 38 Smiling Kid Nolan Win KO2
307 Jul 7, 1924 38 Sydney Grant Win KO4
306 May 4, 1924 38 Eddie Tremblay Win KO3
305 Apr 23, 1924 38 Eddie Tremblay Loss PTS
304 Apr 18, 1924 38 Sammy Olson Win PTS
303 Apr 16, 1924 38 Jim Jam Barry Nd ND
302 Apr 4, 1924 38 Jim Jam Barry Win PTS
301 Mar 6, 1924 38 Smiling Kid Nolan Win KO5
300 Jan 20, 1924 37 Tom Riley Win KO2
299 Jan 6, 1924 37 Fireman Jim Flynn Win PTS
298 Dec 18, 1923 37 Sonny Goodrich Loss PTS
297 Dec 11, 1923 37 Roscoe Hall Win KO1
296 Nov 10, 1923 37 Andrés Balsa Win TKO8
295 Oct 19, 1923 37 Fireman Jim Flynn Win KO3
294 Aug 15, 1923 37 Bearcat Wright Loss KO9
293 Aug 2, 1923 37 Fireman Jim Flynn Win PTS
292 Jul 27, 1923 37 Clem Johnson Loss TKO13
291 Jul 15, 1923 37 Jim Tracey Win KO4
290 May 19, 1923 37 Jack Voight Win KO5
289 May 16, 1923 37 Art Surans Win KO3
288 May 6, 1923 37 Andrés Balsa Win KO3
287 Apr 28, 1923 37 Andrés Balsa Win PTS
286 Apr 15, 1923 37 Chihuahua Kid Brown Win PTS
285 Apr 8, 1923 37 Andrés Balsa Win TKO6
284 Mar 31, 1923 37 Jack Savage Win KO1
283 Mar 17, 1923 37 Chihuahua Kid Brown Win KO1
282 Mar 2, 1923 36 Jim Tracey Win KO6
281 Feb 15, 1923 36 Tom McCarty Win KO2
280 Dec 25, 1922 36 Sonny Goodrich Win TKO7
279 Dec 24, 1922 36 Roscoe Hall Win KO3
278 Dec 12, 1922 36 Jack Taylor Win KO8
277 Nov 10, 1922 36 Jim Jam Barry Draw PTS
276 Nov 5, 1922 36 Jack Taylor Draw PTS
275 Oct 20, 1922 36 Jack Taylor Win PTS
274 Oct 6, 1922 36 Cyclone Smith Win KO2
273 Sep 22, 1922 36 Battling Owens Win KO7
272 Aug 21, 1922 36 Jack Taylor Draw NWS
271 Aug 11, 1922 36 Brad Simmons Draw NWS
270 Aug 4, 1922 36 Bill Tate Win PTS
269 Jul 17, 1922 36 Bearcat Wright Win RTD5
268 Jun 19, 1922 36 Bearcat Wright Draw PTS
267 Jun 5, 1922 36 Tiger Flowers Win KO2
266 May 22, 1922 36 Ted Jamieson Draw PTS
265 May 16, 1922 36 Roscoe Hall Win KO4
264 Apr 20, 1922 36 Roscoe Hall Win KO2
263 Apr 15, 1922 36 Jack Leslie Win NWS
262 Apr 6, 1922 36 Tut Jackson Loss DQ
261 Mar 27, 1922 36 Bill Tate Loss PTS
260 Mar 17, 1922 36 Cyclone Smith Win KO2
259 Jan 17, 1922 35 Harry Wills Loss PTS
258 Dec 9, 1921 35 Young Peter Jackson Win NWS
257 Dec 7, 1921 35 Lee Anderson Win PTS
256 Nov 24, 1921 35 Lee Anderson Loss PTS
255 Oct 18, 1921 35 Young Peter Jackson Win KO2
254 Sep 21, 1921 35 Bill Tate Loss NWS
253 Sep 5, 1921 35 Lee Anderson Loss NWS
252 Aug 19, 1921 35 Topeka Jack Johnson Draw PTS
251 Aug 17, 1921 35 George Godfrey Win KO1
250 Aug 12, 1921 35 Lee Anderson Win PTS
249 Jul 20, 1921 35 Bearcat Wright Win KO9
248 Feb 7, 1921 34 Bill Watkins Win KO5
247 Feb 6, 1921 34 Alfred Johnson Win KO6
246 Feb 3, 1921 34 Jack Thompson Draw PTS
245 Jan 14, 1921 34 Bob Devere Win TKO7
244 Jan 7, 1921 34 Lee Anderson Draw PTS
243 Dec 29, 1920 34 Jim Jam Barry Win PTS
242 Dec 23, 1920 34 Clem Johnson Win PTS
241 Dec 9, 1920 34 Terry Kellar Win PTS
240 Dec 2, 1920 34 Tiny Jim Herman Win TKO7
239 Nov 17, 1920 34 George Godfrey Win KO2
238 Nov 15, 1920 34 Jack Thompson Win PTS
237 Oct 20, 1920 34 Lee Anderson Loss PTS
236 Oct 13, 1920 34 Frank Farmer Win PTS
235 Oct 6, 1920 34 Tiny Jim Herman Win KO7
234 Sep 6, 1920 34 Bill Tate Loss NWS
233 Aug 30, 1920 34 Bearcat Wright Win PTS
232 Aug 14, 1920 34 Sam McVea Win NWS
231 Jul 26, 1920 34 Pinky Lewis Win KO7
230 Jul 2, 1920 34 Jack Mitchell Win KO3
229 Jun 7, 1920 34 Rough House Ware Win KO9
228 May 31, 1920 34 Jeff Clark Win PTS
227 May 18, 1920 34 Marty Cutler Win TKO3
226 May 1, 1920 34 George Godfrey Draw PTS
225 Apr 23, 1920 34 Harry Wills Loss PTS
224 Apr 9, 1920 34 Silas Green Win KO3
223 Apr 5, 1920 34 Jack Thompson Win PTS
222 Mar 29, 1920 34 Jamaica Kid Win TKO7
221 Feb 23, 1920 33 Battling Gahee Win KO2
220 Feb 16, 1920 33 Jeff Clark Draw NWS
219 Jan 16, 1920 33 Jeff Clark Win NWS
218 Dec 3, 1919 33 Dave McBride Win KO1
217 Nov 24, 1919 33 Jack Thompson NC NC
216 Nov 17, 1919 33 Mexican Jim Johnson Win KO9
215 Nov 5, 1919 33 Harry Wills Loss PTS
214 Oct 21, 1919 33 Jack Thompson Draw PTS
213 Sep 30, 1919 33 Harry Wills Loss NWS
212 Sep 18, 1919 33 Rough House Wilson Win KO4
211 Aug 23, 1919 33 Bill Tate Win NWS
210 Aug 4, 1919 33 Jack Thompson Draw PTS
209 Jul 4, 1919 33 Harry Wills Loss NWS
208 Jun 19, 1919 33 Bill Tate Win DQ
207 Apr 30, 1919 33 Billy Hooper Win KO4
206 Mar 4, 1919 33 Willie Meehan Loss PTS
205 Dec 27, 1918 32 Fred Fulton Loss PTS
204 Dec 16, 1918 32 Jeff Clark Win PTS
203 Dec 12, 1918 32 Big Boy Butler Win KO5
202 Nov 28, 1918 32 Jeff Clark Loss NWS
201 Nov 15, 1918 32 Jeff Clark Draw PTS
200 Oct 31, 1918 32 Jeff Clark Draw PTS
199 Aug 22, 1918 32 Battling Jim Johnson Win NWS
198 Aug 19, 1918 32 Rough House Ware Win KO9
197 Aug 8, 1918 32 Jack Thompson Win NWS
196 Aug 5, 1918 32 Battling Jim Johnson Win NWS
195 Jun 19, 1918 32 Battling Jim Johnson Win PTS
194 May 19, 1918 32 Harry Wills Loss TKO8
193 Apr 14, 1918 32 Harry Wills Loss KO6
192 Dec 17, 1917 31 Kid Norfolk Win KO2
191 Nov 12, 1917 31 Harry Wills Draw NWS
190 Sep 20, 1917 31 Harry Wills Loss NWS
189 Sep 17, 1917 31 Andy Johnson Win KO2
188 Sep 14, 1917 31 Joe Jennette Win NWS
187 Aug 17, 1917 31 Andre Anderson Win TKO2
186 Jun 19, 1917 31 Fred Fulton Loss TKO7
185 May 11, 1917 31 Harry Wills Loss NWS
184 May 1, 1917 31 Bill Tate Win KO5
183 Apr 20, 1917 31 Bob Devere Win NWS
182 Apr 10, 1917 31 Jack Thompson Win NWS
181 Jan 25, 1917 30 Bill Tate Loss PTS
180 Jan 1, 1917 30 Battling Jim Johnson Win PTS
179 Dec 29, 1916 30 Bob Devere Win NWS
178 Dec 12, 1916 30 Battling Jim Johnson Win KO12
177 Nov 30, 1916 30 Bill Tate Draw NWS
176 Aug 12, 1916 30 Sam McVea Draw PTS
175 May 12, 1916 30 Joe Jennette Win KO7
174 May 2, 1916 30 Sam McVea Draw NWS
173 Apr 25, 1916 30 Harry Wills Loss NWS
172 Apr 7, 1916 30 Sam McVea Win NWS
171 Mar 31, 1916 30 Jeff Clark Win TKO5
170 Mar 23, 1916 30 Dave Mills Win TKO2
169 Mar 7, 1916 30 Harry Wills Loss NWS
168 Feb 28, 1916 29 Cleve Hawkins Win NWS
167 Feb 17, 1916 29 Sam McVea Win NWS
166 Feb 11, 1916 29 Harry Wills Win KO19
165 Jan 3, 1916 29 Harry Wills Loss PTS
164 Dec 3, 1915 29 Harry Wills Loss NWS
163 Nov 23, 1915 29 Sam McVea Draw NWS
162 Oct 18, 1915 29 Battling Jim Johnson Win PTS
161 Sep 30, 1915 29 Sam McVea Draw PTS
160 Jul 16, 1915 29 Jack Thompson Win TKO1
159 Jun 29, 1915 29 Sam McVea Loss PTS
158 Jun 8, 1915 29 Battling Jim Johnson Win NWS
157 Apr 19, 1915 29 Porky Dan Flynn NC NC
156 Apr 13, 1915 29 Joe Jennette Loss PTS
155 Apr 6, 1915 29 Battling Jim Johnson Win NWS
154 Nov 26, 1914 28 Harry Wills Win KO14
153 Nov 16, 1914 28 Jim Cameron Win TKO6
152 Nov 10, 1914 28 Tom McMahon Win TKO6
151 Oct 26, 1914 28 Jeff Clark Loss NWS
150 Oct 20, 1914 28 Gunboat Smith Win KO3
149 Oct 6, 1914 28 Colin Bell Win TKO4
148 Oct 1, 1914 28 Joe Jennette Draw NWS
147 Sep 15, 1914 28 Battling Jim Johnson Draw PTS
146 Aug 25, 1914 28 George Cotton Win KO4
145 Aug 12, 1914 28 Battling Jim Johnson Win NWS
144 May 25, 1914 28 Bill Watkins Win KO4
143 May 1, 1914 28 Harry Wills Draw NWS
142 Apr 20, 1914 28 Rough House Ware Win TKO5
141 Apr 15, 1914 28 George Cotton Win PTS
140 Mar 27, 1914 28 Battling Jim Johnson Win NWS
139 Mar 23, 1914 28 Bill Watkins Win TKO1
138 Jan 24, 1914 27 Matthew Curran Win KO1
137 Dec 20, 1913 27 Joe Jennette Win PTS
136 Nov 17, 1913 27 Gunboat Smith Loss PTS
135 Oct 27, 1913 27 Jack Lester Win RTD5
134 Oct 3, 1913 27 Joe Jennette Draw NWS
133 Sep 9, 1913 27 John Lester Johnson Win KO1
132 Aug 26, 1913 27 Porky Dan Flynn Win KO4
131 Jun 19, 1913 27 Colin Bell Draw PTS
130 Mar 24, 1913 27 Sam McVea Draw PTS
129 Mar 15, 1913 27 Jim Barry Win KO1
128 Dec 26, 1912 26 Sam McVea Win KO13
127 Oct 9, 1912 26 Sam McVea Win TKO11
126 Aug 3, 1912 26 Sam McVea Win PTS
125 May 27, 1912 26 Porky Dan Flynn Win TKO14
124 May 13, 1912 26 Jim Barry Win TKO11
123 Apr 8, 1912 26 Sam McVea Win PTS
122 Feb 12, 1912 25 Jim Barry Win PTS
121 Dec 26, 1911 25 Sam McVea Loss PTS
120 Nov 6, 1911 25 Tony Caponi Win TKO3
119 Sep 5, 1911 25 Joe Jennette Win NWS
118 Aug 24, 1911 25 Tony Ross Win KO6
117 Aug 15, 1911 25 Philadelphia Jack O'Brien Win TKO5
116 Aug 9, 1911 25 Jim Smith Win TKO5
115 Jul 29, 1911 25 Jack Driscoll Nd ND
114 Jun 29, 1911 25 Jack Fitzgerald Win TKO5
113 Jun 16, 1911 25 Tony Caponi Win NWS
112 May 30, 1911 25 Ralph Calloway Win TKO4
111 Apr 1, 1911 25 Sam McVea Draw PTS
110 Feb 21, 1911 24 Bill Lang Win DQ
109 Jan 16, 1911 24 Fred Atwater Win TKO3
108 Jan 10, 1911 24 Joe Jennette Win PTS
107 Dec 6, 1910 24 Morris Harris Win KO2
106 Nov 10, 1910 24 Jeff Clark Win TKO2
105 Sep 6, 1910 24 Joe Jennette Win PTS
104 May 17, 1910 24 Al Kubiak Win TKO2
103 May 14, 1910 24 Battling Jim Johnson Win NWS
102 Apr 27, 1910 24 Stanley Ketchel Win NWS
101 Apr 14, 1910 24 Jim Barry Win KO16
100 Mar 17, 1910 24 Fireman Jim Flynn Win KO8
99 Feb 22, 1910 23 Nat Dewey Win TKO1
98 Feb 8, 1910 23 Fireman Jim Flynn Loss NWS
97 Jan 10, 1910 23 Dixie Kid Win KO3
96 Nov 23, 1909 23 Mike Schreck Win TKO1
95 Nov 2, 1909 23 Klondike Haynes Win KO2
94 Sep 28, 1909 23 Dixie Kid Win RTD5
93 Jul 13, 1909 23 Klondike Haynes Win NWS
92 May 24, 1909 23 William Hague Win KO4
91 Apr 27, 1909 23 Sandy Ferguson Draw PTS
90 Apr 17, 1909 23 Al Kubiak Win NWS
89 Apr 14, 1909 23 Jim Barry Draw NWS
88 Apr 3, 1909 23 John Willie Win KO2
87 Mar 29, 1909 23 Morris Harris Win TKO7
86 Mar 17, 1909 23 Jim Barry Win NWS
85 Dec 21, 1908 22 Fireman Jim Flynn Win KO1
84 Sep 1, 1908 22 Joe Jennette Win NWS
83 Aug 7, 1908 22 Tony Ross Win TKO5
82 Jul 21, 1908 22 John Willie Win KO2
81 Jun 19, 1908 22 Jim Barry Win KO3
80 May 19, 1908 22 Sandy Ferguson Win PTS
79 Apr 7, 1908 22 Jim Barry Win KO2
78 Mar 11, 1908 22 Larry Temple Win PTS
77 Mar 3, 1908 21 Joe Jennette Draw PTS
76 Feb 10, 1908 21 Black Fitzsimmons Win TKO4
75 Jan 14, 1908 21 Jim Barry Draw NWS
74 Dec 17, 1907 21 Jim Barry Win PTS
73 Nov 12, 1907 21 Young Peter Jackson Win PTS
72 Oct 15, 1907 21 Jim Barry Win NWS
71 Sep 25, 1907 21 Jim Barry Win NWS
70 Aug 27, 1907 21 Larry Temple Win NWS
69 Jun 3, 1907 21 Geoff Thorne Win KO1
68 Apr 22, 1907 21 Tiger Smith Win KO4
67 Jan 31, 1907 20 Kid Williams Win KO6
66 Jan 11, 1907 20 Joe Jennette Draw PTS
65 Nov 29, 1906 20 George Gunther Win TKO3
64 Nov 21, 1906 20 Young Peter Jackson Win PTS
63 Nov 12, 1906 20 George Gunther Win PTS
62 Jun 13, 1906 20 Young Peter Jackson Loss TKO5
61 Apr 26, 1906 20 Jack Johnson Loss PTS
60 Apr 5, 1906 20 Joe Jennette Win PTS
59 Mar 19, 1906 20 Black Fitzsimmons Win TKO11
58 Mar 1, 1906 19 Larry Temple Win KO15
57 Dec 25, 1905 19 Joe Jennette Loss TKO8
56 Oct 7, 1905 19 Jack Blackburn NC NC
55 Sep 29, 1905 19 Young Peter Jackson Draw PTS
54 Sep 20, 1905 19 Jack Blackburn Draw PTS
53 Sep 7, 1905 19 Larry Temple Draw PTS
52 Aug 18, 1905 19 Jack Blackburn Win PTS
51 Jul 4, 1905 19 Larry Temple Loss PTS
50 Jun 16, 1905 19 Young Peter Jackson Win PTS
49 May 26, 1905 19 Young Peter Jackson Win PTS
48 May 16, 1905 19 Bogardus Hyde Win TKO3
47 Mar 13, 1905 19 George Gunther Win PTS
46 Mar 3, 1905 18 George Cole NC NC
45 Feb 13, 1905 18 Dave Holly Win NWS
44 Jan 20, 1905 18 George Gunther Win TKO11
43 Jan 16, 1905 18 Joe Reed Win KO5
42 Dec 22, 1904 18 Joe Reed Win TKO9
41 Dec 9, 1904 18 Jack Blackburn Draw PTS
40 Nov 25, 1904 18 Tommy Sullivan Win TKO3
39 Nov 24, 1904 18 Andy Watson Win NWS
38 Nov 4, 1904 18 Dave Holly Draw NWS
37 Sep 30, 1904 18 Dave Holly Draw PTS
36 Sep 5, 1904 18 Barbados Joe Walcott Draw PTS
35 Jul 29, 1904 18 George McFadden Win TKO2
34 Apr 11, 1904 18 Dave Holly Loss PTS
33 Feb 22, 1904 17 Willie Lewis Win KO2
32 Feb 13, 1904 17 Charles Johnson Win TKO5
31 Jan 27, 1904 17 Belfield Walcott Win NWS
30 Jan 11, 1904 17 Jack Blackburn Draw NWS
29 Jan 6, 1904 17 Andy Watson Draw PTS
28 Dec 23, 1903 17 Jack Blackburn Draw PTS
27 Dec 8, 1903 17 Joe Gans Win PTS
26 Nov 28, 1903 17 Joe Reed Win DQ
25 Nov 20, 1903 17 Patsy Sweeney Win KO12
24 Oct 5, 1903 17 Arthur Cote Win TKO5
23 Sep 15, 1903 17 Shadow Morris Win PTS
22 Aug 28, 1903 17 Kid Griffo Win PTS
21 Jul 16, 1903 17 Belfield Walcott Win PTS
20 Jun 26, 1903 17 Danny Duane Loss PTS
19 Jun 19, 1903 17 Walter Burgo Win TKO8
18 Jun 15, 1903 17 Andy Watson Draw PTS
17 Jun 5, 1903 17 Tim Kearns Win TKO2
16 May 29, 1903 17 Andy Watson Draw PTS
15 May 26, 1903 17 Chick Monahan Win KO1
14 May 25, 1903 17 Billy Jordan Win PTS
13 May 8, 1903 17 Andy Watson Draw PTS
12 Apr 20, 1903 17 Andy Watson Nd ND
11 Apr 16, 1903 17 Stonewall Allen Win PTS
10 Apr 3, 1903 17 Stonewall Allen Draw PTS
9 Mar 26, 1903 17 John E. Butler Win PTS
8 Mar 5, 1903 17 Johnny Johnson Draw PTS
7 Mar 4, 1903 17 Sadler Jennings Win KO2
6 Feb 27, 1903 16 Luther Manual Win PTS
5 Feb 6, 1903 16 Luther Manual Draw PTS
4 Jan 23, 1903 16 Luther Manual Draw PTS
3 Jan 22, 1903 16 Billy Chisholm Nd ND
2 Jan 15, 1903 16 Arthur Pratt Win KO1
1 Apr 11, 1902 16 Jack McVicker Win KO5