Jeannette Vs Langford
“Those who are continually barking that two men of color
never put up a good fight had better creep back into their
kennels right now. A few more slams like the one we had
on this night and the whole world would worship at the
shrine of Pugilisticus. I am prepared to uphold the
contention that the Langford-Jeannette battle has been the
greatest fillip to the noble art in France since the Harry
Lewis-Leo Houck contest. Never have two heavyweights
put up such a grand slam as the two above mentioned
rivals did on this occasion.
From the world “go” it was apparent that things were
going to hum on this night, for even the 1st round seemed
too fast and severe to last. Both men went all out from the
start, and how they kept up such a lick is just a mystery of
the flesh of which Jeannette and Langford alone seem to
hold the secret. It has been said of the latter that he was a
10 round fighter, and that after such a distance he fell
away into insignifigance. Whence came these opinions
heaven only knows. True, Sam was getting a trifle tired
when the end arrived on this occasion, but he had not left
off punching for 20 rounds, and they were punches, too, no
butter pats here.
Although less weighty, Jeannette’s deliveries were perhaps
more academical, but they failed to disturb Langford’s
equanimity. At long range Joe had a great deal to say with
the left, which often reached his opponent’s face and
stomach. This last-named portion of Sam’s anatomy stood
out in comfortable prominence, by the way, but manager
Woodman says that his famous colt’s rotundity amidships
is natural, and not at all composed of fat. Be that as it may,
Jeannette made many attempts to bury one or the other of
his fists in that black bolster, but Sam remained unmoved.
At close quarters, Langford’s boxing was positively deadly,
while Jeannette seemed all at sea. It is when at half-arm
striking distance that all Sam’s devastating work was
accomplished, for he was as unsuccessful at full range as
Jeannette was at short ditto.
For the first five rounds, Jeannette actually appeared
nervous, a thing that I had never before noticed in him. But
now that we have seen Langford in his full war-paint this
apparent anxiety is comprehensible. I would sooner face a
battery of cannon than the Boston Tar Baby.
As the 13th round was rung in there were many who saw a
possible winner in Joe, for the more he goes the better he
gets. Not that his blows worried Sam in the least, but they
counted as points. The usual tremor reigned in most hearts
as the fateful round commenced, for one almost felt that
something was in the air. All anxiety was being dispelled
when suddenly Langford shot out his right when close up,
followed by a formidable left hook. Down went Jeannette,
while Langford lost is footing and fell across his prostrate
opponent. Joe sat up and looked round him with glassy
eyes until the count of 9 came along. Slowly raising
himself, he stood near his corner with back to the ropes for
support, as a shower of water reached his quivering body.
This action gave rise to loud cries of protest, but these were
lost in the excitement of the moment. Another right and left
came along, and once more Jeannette was on the boards
for the full respite. With that leonine courage that never
foresakes him, Joe regained his feet, but was no sooner up
than these refused to carry him, and he fell for another
count. He was, however, up again, leaning against the
ropes when time crept up. Sam was just about to let go the
coup de grace when the gong put the brakes on. It must
have sounded good to Jeannette if he really heard it, for it
is more than possible that another few seconds would have
seen the end of the battle.
Jeannette regained his corner, and with his habitual
recuperative powers started off the 14th round as if
nothing had happened. He even forced matters, and at the
end of the session had well held his own. Cries of “Bravo,
Jeannette!” greeted his efforts. Joe actually had the best of
his man in the 15th round, and, although Langford was, as
was the call all through the fight, by the way, terribly
dangerous, Joe took chances, and scored with many hard
lefts and a right. Sam’s chief contributions were two – a
rat-tat postman’s knock, lefts, and some hard stuff at close
quarters.
Throwing purdence to the winds, Jeannette went all out in
the 16th round, leaving his jaw open for a left hook in the
process. He was positively asking for it in his mad pursuit,
and it duly came. For a few seconds his legs shivered, and
he tottered. It was but a momentary trouble, however, and
his left shot out on time.
Both men appeared strong in the 17th session, albeit
Jeannette’s punches carried little sting. Langford’s blows
were as weighty as ever, and many must have been the
prayer that went up for Joe.
A terrific right swing just grazed Jeannette’s chin and
slithered off, thus giving him a life. He was still boxing
with his jaw exposed, and it seemed as if nothing but a
miracle could prevent a punch paying a visit. Luck favored
him, however, in that Sam was taking a rest. The next two
passages were, strangely enough, for Jeannette, for, where
he appeared, as is usually the case with him, to be getting
fresher, Langford was beginning to feel the strain of his
incessant punching. So it was that, with full confidence, Joe
sailed into his man with left after left. Each time Langford
waded in close, however, there was another tale to tell, for
those nasty, crisp jolts and short hooks created deadly
havoc. Jeannette opened the 19th round with a series of
right uppercuts, and so succussful were these proving that
he brought out at least half a dozen more ere Langford
could get a punch home. This meeting was entirely in Joe’s
favour, and his partisans began to see the glimmer of a
draw. But these hopes, frail though they wee, completely
broke down in the 20th round.
Going all out for a decisive win, Jeannete seemed to forget
that Langford might be doing likewise. Leaving himself
totally uncovered, Joe slammed in several lefts and two
right upper-cuts, when a fearful left smash on the mouth
drew a cascade of blood, and slowed him right up. A left
and right on the top of this sent Jeannette to the ropes,
where he stood in groggy condition. It seemed once more
all over for this fine athlete, but he had retained sufficient
lucidity to duch all the mighty rights that were aimed at
his jaw, and by judicious clinching, finished this
memorable fight on his feet. The applause was deafening,
for whereas Langford had shown all present that he is
undoubtedly the most redoubtable heavyweight in the
world, Jeannette gave one more splendid proof of his
toughness.
As Willie Lewis truly said after the battle, “My advice to
fighters is, leave Langford alone. He’s all very well to meet
once in a lifetime, but no more.” All this makes us wonder
what kind of a man must be Gunboat Smith, if reports of
his victory over Langford be true. It seems too incredible.
Jack Johnson must now meet Langford, or forever forfeit
the respect of those who still see in him the rightful world’s
titleholder.” reporter F. Hurdman-Lucas
never put up a good fight had better creep back into their
kennels right now. A few more slams like the one we had
on this night and the whole world would worship at the
shrine of Pugilisticus. I am prepared to uphold the
contention that the Langford-Jeannette battle has been the
greatest fillip to the noble art in France since the Harry
Lewis-Leo Houck contest. Never have two heavyweights
put up such a grand slam as the two above mentioned
rivals did on this occasion.
From the world “go” it was apparent that things were
going to hum on this night, for even the 1st round seemed
too fast and severe to last. Both men went all out from the
start, and how they kept up such a lick is just a mystery of
the flesh of which Jeannette and Langford alone seem to
hold the secret. It has been said of the latter that he was a
10 round fighter, and that after such a distance he fell
away into insignifigance. Whence came these opinions
heaven only knows. True, Sam was getting a trifle tired
when the end arrived on this occasion, but he had not left
off punching for 20 rounds, and they were punches, too, no
butter pats here.
Although less weighty, Jeannette’s deliveries were perhaps
more academical, but they failed to disturb Langford’s
equanimity. At long range Joe had a great deal to say with
the left, which often reached his opponent’s face and
stomach. This last-named portion of Sam’s anatomy stood
out in comfortable prominence, by the way, but manager
Woodman says that his famous colt’s rotundity amidships
is natural, and not at all composed of fat. Be that as it may,
Jeannette made many attempts to bury one or the other of
his fists in that black bolster, but Sam remained unmoved.
At close quarters, Langford’s boxing was positively deadly,
while Jeannette seemed all at sea. It is when at half-arm
striking distance that all Sam’s devastating work was
accomplished, for he was as unsuccessful at full range as
Jeannette was at short ditto.
For the first five rounds, Jeannette actually appeared
nervous, a thing that I had never before noticed in him. But
now that we have seen Langford in his full war-paint this
apparent anxiety is comprehensible. I would sooner face a
battery of cannon than the Boston Tar Baby.
As the 13th round was rung in there were many who saw a
possible winner in Joe, for the more he goes the better he
gets. Not that his blows worried Sam in the least, but they
counted as points. The usual tremor reigned in most hearts
as the fateful round commenced, for one almost felt that
something was in the air. All anxiety was being dispelled
when suddenly Langford shot out his right when close up,
followed by a formidable left hook. Down went Jeannette,
while Langford lost is footing and fell across his prostrate
opponent. Joe sat up and looked round him with glassy
eyes until the count of 9 came along. Slowly raising
himself, he stood near his corner with back to the ropes for
support, as a shower of water reached his quivering body.
This action gave rise to loud cries of protest, but these were
lost in the excitement of the moment. Another right and left
came along, and once more Jeannette was on the boards
for the full respite. With that leonine courage that never
foresakes him, Joe regained his feet, but was no sooner up
than these refused to carry him, and he fell for another
count. He was, however, up again, leaning against the
ropes when time crept up. Sam was just about to let go the
coup de grace when the gong put the brakes on. It must
have sounded good to Jeannette if he really heard it, for it
is more than possible that another few seconds would have
seen the end of the battle.
Jeannette regained his corner, and with his habitual
recuperative powers started off the 14th round as if
nothing had happened. He even forced matters, and at the
end of the session had well held his own. Cries of “Bravo,
Jeannette!” greeted his efforts. Joe actually had the best of
his man in the 15th round, and, although Langford was, as
was the call all through the fight, by the way, terribly
dangerous, Joe took chances, and scored with many hard
lefts and a right. Sam’s chief contributions were two – a
rat-tat postman’s knock, lefts, and some hard stuff at close
quarters.
Throwing purdence to the winds, Jeannette went all out in
the 16th round, leaving his jaw open for a left hook in the
process. He was positively asking for it in his mad pursuit,
and it duly came. For a few seconds his legs shivered, and
he tottered. It was but a momentary trouble, however, and
his left shot out on time.
Both men appeared strong in the 17th session, albeit
Jeannette’s punches carried little sting. Langford’s blows
were as weighty as ever, and many must have been the
prayer that went up for Joe.
A terrific right swing just grazed Jeannette’s chin and
slithered off, thus giving him a life. He was still boxing
with his jaw exposed, and it seemed as if nothing but a
miracle could prevent a punch paying a visit. Luck favored
him, however, in that Sam was taking a rest. The next two
passages were, strangely enough, for Jeannette, for, where
he appeared, as is usually the case with him, to be getting
fresher, Langford was beginning to feel the strain of his
incessant punching. So it was that, with full confidence, Joe
sailed into his man with left after left. Each time Langford
waded in close, however, there was another tale to tell, for
those nasty, crisp jolts and short hooks created deadly
havoc. Jeannette opened the 19th round with a series of
right uppercuts, and so succussful were these proving that
he brought out at least half a dozen more ere Langford
could get a punch home. This meeting was entirely in Joe’s
favour, and his partisans began to see the glimmer of a
draw. But these hopes, frail though they wee, completely
broke down in the 20th round.
Going all out for a decisive win, Jeannete seemed to forget
that Langford might be doing likewise. Leaving himself
totally uncovered, Joe slammed in several lefts and two
right upper-cuts, when a fearful left smash on the mouth
drew a cascade of blood, and slowed him right up. A left
and right on the top of this sent Jeannette to the ropes,
where he stood in groggy condition. It seemed once more
all over for this fine athlete, but he had retained sufficient
lucidity to duch all the mighty rights that were aimed at
his jaw, and by judicious clinching, finished this
memorable fight on his feet. The applause was deafening,
for whereas Langford had shown all present that he is
undoubtedly the most redoubtable heavyweight in the
world, Jeannette gave one more splendid proof of his
toughness.
As Willie Lewis truly said after the battle, “My advice to
fighters is, leave Langford alone. He’s all very well to meet
once in a lifetime, but no more.” All this makes us wonder
what kind of a man must be Gunboat Smith, if reports of
his victory over Langford be true. It seems too incredible.
Jack Johnson must now meet Langford, or forever forfeit
the respect of those who still see in him the rightful world’s
titleholder.” reporter F. Hurdman-Lucas
When Sam decisioned Joe Jeannette over 20 rounds at
Luna Park in Paris in December, 1913, correspondent
Stephen Black drew attention to the marked differences
between the two men in their talent and general
demeanour. “Jeannette fought like a greyhound, a plucky
greyhound that wants to fight but can only fight his own
way. As he retreats, he snaps back little biting snaps that
worry the other fighter unless he is a thoroughbred
bulldog like Sam Langford. For that is exactly what
Langford is in appearance and by temperament. He is a
bigger edition of Joe Walcott, the black demon, and I
think a better one."
“Jeannette looked worried in his corner before the
beginning, whereas Langford sat up waiting for the bell
like a bulldog expecting a bone.”
Luna Park in Paris in December, 1913, correspondent
Stephen Black drew attention to the marked differences
between the two men in their talent and general
demeanour. “Jeannette fought like a greyhound, a plucky
greyhound that wants to fight but can only fight his own
way. As he retreats, he snaps back little biting snaps that
worry the other fighter unless he is a thoroughbred
bulldog like Sam Langford. For that is exactly what
Langford is in appearance and by temperament. He is a
bigger edition of Joe Walcott, the black demon, and I
think a better one."
“Jeannette looked worried in his corner before the
beginning, whereas Langford sat up waiting for the bell
like a bulldog expecting a bone.”
“Langford, was the greatest fighter who ever lived,”
Jeannette would say in an article published by Boxing
Illustrated. “Sam would have been champion any time
Johnson had given him a fight. And Johnson knew it
better than anybody.” Jeannette often exclaimed while
rubbing his oval jaw, “Man! How that baby could hit.
Nobody else could hit like that. Well, maybe Joe Louis
could,” he conceded. “But don’t forget that Sam only
weighed about 160 pounds. Louis was about 195.”
Jeannette would say in an article published by Boxing
Illustrated. “Sam would have been champion any time
Johnson had given him a fight. And Johnson knew it
better than anybody.” Jeannette often exclaimed while
rubbing his oval jaw, “Man! How that baby could hit.
Nobody else could hit like that. Well, maybe Joe Louis
could,” he conceded. “But don’t forget that Sam only
weighed about 160 pounds. Louis was about 195.”
May 13, 1916
December 25, 1905
April 5, 1906 -
January 11, 1907
March 3, 1908 -
September 1, 1908 -
January 10, 1911
September 6, 1910
October 3, 1913 -
October 1, 1914
April 13, 1915
September 14, 1917
December 20, 1913