[Vano-irons]

I'm half way through Langford's bio (Clay Moyle) and in it the author claims Sam knocked Jeff spark out in a 4 round sparring session just 3 days before the Johnson fight. The spar was held in secret, and only half of Jeff's team knew about it, and therefore was never made public. Clay, while sceptical of the story, says this was the reason Jeff was so badly beaten by Jack. Jeffries simply knew he couldn't win, because he was knocked cold a few days before.

What we know as fact is that
1) Sam was in Jeff's camp
2) Jeff cancelled a sparring session with bob Armstrong (HW contender) claiming he was too tired. This matches the dates of Langford knocking him out
3) Jeffries' brother tried desperately to talk him out of fighting Jack a day before the bout

Could this really be fact? Or is it a story?

It must be notes that Sam nor Jeff mentioned it, but Sam's manager did, years later

 

[GazOC]

God knows, I usually treat sparing stories with sceptisism. Im trying to envisage a sparring session where the durable Jeffries was cold cocked before either he or one of his camp called the spar off...

 

[Chatty]

It wouldn't surprise me if true. I mean I reckon Sam could have knocked Jeffries out and Jim had refused to fight all the black boxers on the circuit when he was champ, maybes he just wanted to prove to Jim that he wasn't the best guy out there and that Sam was the main man. Pity Sam never got his shot of Johnson after, even though Johnson had beaten him before, they were meant to fight on many more times with Johnson apparently constantly pulling out.

 

[Vano-irons]

God knows, I usually treat sparing stories with sceptisism. Im trying to envisage a sparring session where the durable Jeffries was cold cocked before either he or one of his camp called the spar off...

Very good point!

It wouldn't surprise me if true. I mean I reckon Sam could have knocked Jeffries out and Jim had refused to fight all the black boxers on the circuit when he was champ, maybes he just wanted to prove to Jim that he wasn't the best guy out there and that Sam was the main man. Pity Sam never got his shot of Johnson after, even though Johnson had beaten him before, they were meant to fight on many more times with Johnson apparently constantly pulling out.

Thing is, Jeff took an abolsute hammering from Fitz and never wilted. I'm not sure Langford would have gotten to him in 4 sparring rounds. But with how out of shape he was, it's more feasible.

As for the Johnson-Langford 2 fight, Johnson would rather make his money in the theatres rather than in the ring when he was champion. Sam could never guarantee him a 25,000+ purse (although London and Paris could) so the fight didn't make financial sense for the champion. I hobestly have no idea how the second fight would have gone, despite the beat Sam took in their fight

 

[GazOC]

I also think there can be an element of wanting to believe stories like this.

 

[Chatty]

I don't think it would have mattered either way though to be honest. Johnson toyed with him in that fight and with Jeffries having a sizable layoff eating a cow every day it was inevitable that it would end in tears, Corbett in the corner or not.

 

[GazOC]

Yeah, I dont think the incident, even if its true, would havr affected the Johnson fight.

 

[biglads]

I don't think it would have mattered either way though to be honest. Johnson toyed with him in that fight and with Jeffries having a sizable layoff eating a cow every day it was inevitable that it would end in tears, Corbett in the corner or not.

From what I've read about the fight, Corbett offered little except hurling racial abuse at Jack.

 

[Vano-irons]

My favourite story about the fight was Ketchell actually. After watching Jeff train, Stanley walked out of the room and mentioned that Jeff was licked, and that Johnson would smash him. As it was inconceivable Jeffries could lose to a black man, Ketchell devised a plan. When both fighters were in the ring, the announcer would invite Ketchell (and other boxers) into the ring. Stanley planned to walk over to Big Jeff and knock him cold when he wasn't expecting it. He knew the public would hate him for it, but he considered it a better senario rather than Jeffries losing to Johnson. What a guy!

Unfortunately for Stanley, word got back to the promotor who advised the announcer not to let Ketchell anywhere near Jeffries

 

[Lunny]

My favourite story about the fight was Ketchell actually. After watching Jeff train, Stanley walked out of the room and mentioned that Jeff was licked, and that Johnson would smash him. As it was inconceivable Jeffries could lose to a black man, Ketchell devised a plan. When both fighters were in the ring, the announcer would invite Ketchell (and other boxers) into the ring. Stanley planned to walk over to Big Jeff and knock him cold when he wasn't expecting it. He knew the public would hate him for it, but he considered it a better senario rather than Jeffries losing to Johnson. What a guy!

Unfortunately for Stanley, word got back to the promotor who advised the announcer not to let Ketchell anywhere near Jeffries

:lol: Never heard that before.

 

[WelshDevilRob]

Not read the book by Clay Moyle's. Is it worth getting?

 

[Vano-irons]

Not read the book by Clay Moyle's. Is it worth getting?

It's brilliant Rob, really is

 

[WelshDevilRob]

It's brilliant Rob, really is

Thanks mate. Will check it out. Is there a book out about Harry Wills? - bits I have read about him seem very interesting.

 

[NoMas]

lmao never heard them 2 stories, great stuff... gonna get this book, whats the actual name of it, so i get the right one???

 

[Vano-irons]

lmao never heard them 2 stories, great stuff... gonna get this book, whats the actual name of it, so i get the right one???

Sam Langford: boxing's greatest uncrowned champion bu Clay Moyle

 

[NoMas]

Sam Langford: boxing's greatest uncrowned champion bu Clay Moyle

cheers, i read alot about him on the internet, never his book...