Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-21
.LANGFORD IS CHOICE
Boston Scrapper Expected to
Beat Bill Lang Tonight.
WINNER TO GO AFTER TITLE
Great Crowd to See international
Fight in London,
England.
speeial CORRESPONDENCE Of The Star.

Special CORRESPONDENCE OF The Star.
NEW YORK, February 21.-Men al
over the world who take interest in pu-
gilfstic events are waiting to learn the
result of the twenty-round fight between
Sam Langford of Boston and Bill Lang
Australians heavyweight champion, which
will be decided in Hugh Mclntosh's Olym-
pia Annex. London, tonight. This battle
is unusually important for the reason
that the winner will promptly challenge
Jack johnson for the worlds title. Lang
ford will enter the ring weighing about
1855 pounds, whereas Lang will carry all
of 100.
Mcintosh, who is Lang's manager, has
repeatedly announced that the Australian
is the best white pugilist in the ring, not
excepting Al Kaufman and other hopes
but in this country many sporting men
do not hold this opinion, with the result
that Langford has been heavily backed
here as we'll as in Great Britain and will
be the ringside favorite.
Langford was born in Weymouth. Nova
Scotia. in 1880, and is = feet 11a inches
tall. He has a phenomenal ring record.
Starting out as a professional in 1902 he
began to attract attention in Boston and
New England. He was only a weller
weight then. but he rapidly forged to the
front by defeating such men as Tim
KeaTns, Walter Burgo, Belfield Walcott,
Young Critic, Patsy Sweeney, Joe Cans,
Charley Johnson, Willie Lewis. George
McFadden. Young Peter Jackson, Larry
Temple and Joe jeanette. He met Jack
the latter got q decision in fifteen.
round bout. although Langford knocked
the big negro down for the count i'll the
second round. After that Langford went
to England and stopped Tiger Smith and
jeff Thorne in jig time.
Has a Good Record
Coming back to America, he whipped
Jim Barry, Jim Flynn, Sandy Ferguson
AL Kubiak, Morris Harris and John Willie
after which he made another trip to Lon
don, and knocked out the English heavy
weight champion, Ian Hague, in foul
rounds, at the National Sporting Club
He was matched to fight Johnson at this
club. but the latter, after beating Burns
in Australia, refused to abide by h:
agreement. Langford boxed six round;
with the late Stanley Ketchel in Phila.
delphia last year. and though under pull
he clearly outclassed the former middle
weight champion, who refused to meet
aim in another fight to a finish.
Langford. for personal reasons, refused
W ulccl al hdultlldu III II1Iduolpuld Id u
fall, but he went to the coast and stopped
Jim Flynn IN a few punches. He chal-
lenged Johnson repeatedly after that, but
the latter persistently ignored him AND
refused to cover his forfeits. They finally
met in Boston to arrange a battle, blu,
the conference ended in a war OF words.
1t Is believed by many that, barring
johnson. Langford is the hardest hitter
In the world. Though he is a. bit short
he Is a quick as a cat and is all aggres-
s.veness. He is scientific and can hit
from any angle, but his most effective
blows are delivered at close quarters and
generally travel only few inches. He is
q quick thinker and in point of physical
condition 1t may be said that he always
takes excellent care of his health. Be-
cause of his sLeed and punching power.
coupled with his long ring experience, he Is
picked TO win. and II he scores a knock
out 1T will not be surprising.
johnson Beat Lang.