Sam Langford


Samuel Edgar Langford was a Canadian professional boxer who competed from 1902 to 1926. Called the "Greatest Fighter Almost Nobody Knows" by ESPN, Langford is considered by many boxing historians to be one of the greatest fighters of all time. Originally from Weymouth Falls, a small community in Nova Scotia, he was known as "the Boston Bonecrusher", "the Boston Terror", and, most famously, "the Boston Tar Baby". Langford stood and weighed in his prime. He fought from lightweight to heavyweight and defeated many world champions and legends of the time in each weight class. Considered a devastating puncher even at heavyweight, The Ring rated Langford second on their list of the "100 greatest punchers of all time". One boxing historian described Langford as "experienced as a heavyweight James Toney with the punching power of Mike Tyson".
He was denied a shot at many World Championships due to the colour bar and the refusal of Jack Johnson, the first African-American World Heavyweight Champion, to fight him in a rematch. Langford was the World Colored Heavyweight Champion, a title vacated by Johnson after he won the World Championship, a record five times. Alongside this, Langford also defeated the reigning Lightweight Champion Joe Gans, the first African-American World Champion in boxing history and widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, in a non-title bout. Many boxing aficionados consider Langford to be the greatest boxer not to have won a world title. On August 13, 2020, the WBC granted Langford an honorary world champion title. BoxRec ranks him as the 22nd greatest Canadian boxer of all time.

Early life

Langford was born in Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia, a rural black community that his grandfather, a former slave from the United States, helped settle. Langford left home as a youth to escape an abusive father.
He traveled, by boat and on foot, to Boston, Massachusetts, where he eventually found work as a janitor in the boxing gymnasium of the Lenox Athletic Club. He was scouted by the owner of the club after sparring with the boxers training there. He won the amateur featherweight championship of Boston at age 15.

Professional career

[Image:Sam Langford LOC.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Langford in 1910]
Langford was a boxer who fought greats from the lightweight division right up to the heavyweights, beating many champions in the process. However, he was never able to secure a world title for himself. Despite the fact, Langford never received a chance to fight for Jack Johnson's heavyweight title, Ring magazine founder Nat Fleischer rated Langford as one of the ten best heavyweights of all time. Renowned champion Jack Dempsey claimed that as a young boxer in 1916 he refused a fight with Langford. According to Dempsey: "I think Sam Langford was the greatest fighter we ever had."

Significant fights

Jack Johnson boxer.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Jack Johnson, the first African American, world heavyweight champion, defeated Langford but refused to offer him a rematch, circa 1910–1915.]
Langford's most memorable fights were his numerous encounters against fellow Black boxers Sam McVey, Battling Jim Johnson, Joe Jeanette and Harry Wills, who all experienced similar barriers in their fighting careers.
Langford defeated World Lightweight Champion Joe Gans on December 8, 1903, via a 15-round decision. Gans' title was not on the line, however. The two would later become good friends. Langford considered Gans the pound-for-pound greatest fighter of all time.
He fought Jack Blackburn, trainer of the legendary Joe Louis, six times. The first three fights were draws, the fourth a decision win for Langford, the fifth another draw and the sixth a no contest.
Although Langford is often credited as the greatest fighter to never challenge for a world title, he fought World Welterweight Champion Barbados Joe Walcott on September 5, 1904, for his title. The fight resulted in a draw via decision, thus Walcott retained his title. However, reports of the fight say Langford clearly outpointed the champion. Langford kept Walcott at a distance with his longer reach and used his footwork to evade all of Walcott's attacks. Langford landed lefts and rights to the jaw so effectively, Walcott was bleeding by round two and continued bleeding more after every round. Walcott was brought on one knee in the third round and the fight ended with hardly a scratch on Langford.
In 1912, Langford was one of the contenders for the World Colored Heavyweight Championship fought at various venues across Australia. Sam McVey his opponent, McVey ranked alongside Jack Johnson, Joe Jeanette, Sam Langford, and Harry Wills as the top black heavyweights of their generation. Prior to his win, Langford stayed at the Nedlands Park Hotel where he:
Langford fought various contenders throughout his career. He fought welterweight Young Peter Jackson six times, winning the first two by decision, the third was a draw via points, losing the fourth by technical knockout and winning the fifth and sixth bouts again by decision. Their bout on November 12, 1907, at the Pacific Athletic Club in Los Angeles was billed as being for the World Colored [Middleweight Championship]. Langford won the title by besting Jackson on points in the 20-round bout.
Langford fought heavyweight Joe Jeanette fourteen times, losing the first by eighth-round retirement, winning second by decision, third and fourth were a draw via points, winning the fifth through eighth by decision, ninth was a draw via points, winning the tenth on the decision, eleventh was a draw via points, lost the twelfth by decision and winning the thirteenth by seventh-round knock out and fourteenth by decision, 2 losses.
He fought future World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson on April 26, 1906, losing by a fifteenth-round decision. Johnson was 29 pounds heavier than Langford. Langford took severe punishment and was knocked down 3 times; however, he lasted the 15 round distance. After winning their first match, Johnson repeatedly refused rematches against Langford, who was considered by some to be the most dangerous challenger for Johnson's crown, although Johnson cited Langford's inability to meet his $30,000 appearance fee.
Langford fought heavyweight Fireman Jim Flynn six times, winning the first by first-round knockout, losing the second by decision, winning the third by eighth-round knockout, winning the fourth by decision, winning the fifth by third-round knockout, and winning the sixth by decision.
Winner of the World Colored Middleweight Championship in 1907 when he beat Young Peter Jackson, he fought World Middleweight Champion Stanley Ketchel on April 27, 1910, in a six-round non-title fight, a no-decision draw. A longer rematch bout was rumoured but never happened due to Ketchell's murder six months later.
Langford fought heavyweight Battling Jim Johnson twelve times, winning the first three by decision, fourth and fifth were a draw via points, winning the sixth and seventh on points, eighth by twelfth-round knockout, ninth through eleventh by points, and drawing in the twelfth via points. Johnson was always heavier than Langford by 26–40 pounds.
Langford fought heavyweight Sam McVea fifteen times, drawing in the first via points, losing the second by decision, winning the third and fourth by decision, winning the fifth by technical knockout, winning the sixth by thirteenth-round knockout, seventh was a draw via points, losing the eighth by decision, ninth through eleventh were draws via points, winning the twelfth by decision, thirteenth and fourteenth were draws via decision and winning the fifteenth by decision, 2 losses. Langford was 37 years old in the final bout.
Langford defeated former World Light Heavyweight Champion Philadelphia Jack O'Brien on August 15, 1911, by fifth-round technical knockout. Langford outweighed O'Brien by ten pounds. The fight was stopped after a hard left hook put O'Brien on the canvas. O'Brien had to be helped to his corner. The poetic O'Brien later said of Langford, "When he appeared upon the scene of combat, you knew you were cooked."
Langford fought heavyweight Gunboat Smith twice, losing the first by decision and winning the second by third-round knockout.
Langford fought heavyweight Harry Wills seventeen times. Langford was 31 in the first bout and continued to suffer from old age and failing eyesight more and more each fight. The first was a draw via points, the second a win via fourteenth-round knockout, the third and fourth losses via decision, the fifth a win via nineteenth-round knockout, the sixth through ninth losses via decision, the tenth a draw via points, the eleventh a loss via sixth-round knockout and the twelfth by seventh-round technical knockout, the thirteenth through seventeenth by decision, 14 losses.
Former World Heavyweight Champion Tommy Burns was a referee in the third fight. At the end, he caught Langford's hand and said to him, "Sam, this is the hardest I ever had to do in my life. I always admired you and never thought to see you beaten, but I have to give the decision against you."

World Welterweight title fight

Although Langford is often credited as the greatest fighter to never challenge for a world title, he fought World Welterweight Champion Barbados Joe Walcott, a black man, on September 5, 1904, at Lake Massabesic Coliseum in Manchester, New Hampshire for his title. Both fighters weighed in at 142 lbs.
The fight resulted in a draw via decision, thus Walcott retained his title. However, reports of the fight say Langford clearly outpointed the champion. Langford kept Walcott at a distance with his longer reach and used his footwork to evade all of Walcott's attacks. Langford landed lefts and rights to the jaw so effectively, Walcott was bleeding by round two and continued bleeding more after every round. Walcott was brought on one knee in the third round and the fight ended with hardly a scratch on Langford.
The Boston Globe newspaper reported:
"Joe Walcott met his match in a 15-round bout yesterday afternoon in the Massabesic coliseum before a crowd of 1200. His opponent was Sam Langford, who clearly outpointed the champion, and the latter's aggressiveness in carrying the fight to Langford was all that saved him from taking a decision that would have given him the short end of the purse. Langford took advantage of his longer reach and repeatedly played a tattoo on Walcott's face, and his cleverness on his feet carried him away from harm a score or more times when Walcott endeavored by sheer brute force to deliver a knockout blow. While Walcott was the aggressor, Langford met his attacks by left and right to the jaw and mouth so effectively as to draw blood in the second round and he kept Walcott bleeding in every round thereafter. In the third round, Langford brought the champion to one knee by a straight away jolt to the jaw, and he went through the entire fifteen rounds without a perceptible scratch on himself. In the opening round honors were even, but thereafter until the seventh round Langford had all the better of the argument."

World Colored Heavyweight Championship

Sam Langford won the World Colored Heavyweight Championship a record five times between 1910 and 1918. Jack Johnson had reigned as the World Colored Heavyweight Champion from 1903 to 1908, when he relinquished the title after winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Joe Jeanette and Sam McVey fought in Paris in February 1909 to fill the vacant title, with McVey the victor. Jeanette took the title away from McVey two months later.
Subsequently, Langford claimed the title during Jeanette's reign after Johnson refused to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against him. For a year there were two duelling claimants to the world-coloured heavyweight crown, Jeanette, the "official" champ, and Langford, the pretender, the man whom Jack Johnson "ducked". On September 6, 1910, in Boston, Massachusetts, Langford became the undisputed coloured champ by winning a 15-round bout with Jeanette on points. Still, Jack Johnson refused to give him a title shot.

Failure to secure title shot

Langford had lost to Jack Johnson the only time they had fought, on April 26, 1906, in a fifteen-round decision. Johnson was 29 lbs. heavier than Langford, and though he knocked down Langford in the sixth round, many spectators felt Langford had won the bout, even though Sam was on the verge of going down several times only for Johnson to hold him up and prevent a knockdown. In truth, Johnson actually toyed with him, carrying on conversations with ringsiders all through the fight. After winning their first match, Johnson repeatedly refused rematches against Langford, who was considered by some to be the most dangerous challenger for Johnson's crown. Another explanation for this Johnson's refusal is that he knew that a fight between two black fighters would not generate nearly as much revenue as a fight between him and a white man.
Battling Jim Johnson, the man Sam fought twelve times, beating Johnson nine times and never losing once, would be the one who got the title shot against Johnson that Langford had rightly believed his.

World Heavyweight Championship

Ironically, the colour bar that had marred the world heavyweight title by blackballing boxers of colour remained in force even under Jack Johnson. Once he was the World's Heavyweight Champion, Johnson did not fight a black opponent for the first five years of his reign. In addition to Langford, he denied matches to black heavyweights Joe Jeanette and to the young Harry Wills.
Blacks were not given a shot at the title allegedly because Johnson felt that he could make more money fighting white boxers. In August 1913, as Johnson neared the end of his troubled reign as World Heavyweight Champion, there were rumours that he had agreed to fight Langford in Paris for the title, but it came to naught. Johnson claimed that Langford was unable to raise $30,000 for his guarantee.
Because black boxers with the exception of Johnson had been barred from fighting for the heavyweight championship because of racism, Johnson's refusal to fight African-Americans offended the African-American community, since the opportunity to fight top white boxers was rare. Jeanette criticized Johnson, saying, "Jack forgot about his old friends after he became champion and drew the colour line against his own people."
When Johnson finally did agree to take on a black opponent in late 1913, it was not Sam Langford, the current Colored Heavyweight Champion, that he gave the title shot to. Instead, Johnson chose Battling Jim Johnson, a mediocrity who, in 1910, had lost to Langford and had a draw and loss via knockout to Sam McVey, another former Colored Champion. Battling Jim fought fellow former Colored Champion Joe Jeanette four times between July 19, 1912, and January 21, 1912, and lost all four fights. The only fighter of note he did beat in that period was future Colored Champion Big Bill Tate, whom he knocked out in the second round of a scheduled 10-round bout. It was Tate's third pro fight.
The fight, scheduled for 10 rounds, was held on December 19, 1913, in Paris. It was the first time in history that two blacks had fought for the World Heavyweight Championship. While the Johnson v. Johnson fight had been billed as a World Heavyweight title match, in many ways, it resembled an exhibition. A sportswriter from the Indianapolis Star reported that the fight crowd became unruly when it was apparent that neither boxer was putting up a fight." The champ barely engaged Battling Jim, and it turned out he had broken his arm during the third round, a distinct disadvantage that Battling Jim failed to capitalize on. The fight was a draw, and Jack Johnson kept his championship.
Battling Jim's next fight, four months later, also was a title match. On March 27, 1914, in New York City, Sam Langford won a newspaper decision in a ten-rounder with Johnson. According to the New York Times, the coloured champ "won by a wide margin" because Johnson "failed to show anything remotely resembling championship ability."
Battling Jim fought Langford ten more times. Two of the fights were draws, including their last fight on September 22, 1918, which was also Battling Jim's last pro bout. He faced Joe Jeanette five more times and did not win a single contest. Two of their fights were draws and their last fight on August 20, 1918, Battling Jim's penultimate pro fight, was a no-decision.
Of the other former and future Colored Heavyweight Champions that Battling Jim battled, he won only one fight, against Harry Wills, because he broke his wrist blocking a punch in a non-title match and Johnson won by a technical knockout. Battling Jim lost his other two fights with Wills and lost all of the five fights he had with ex-champ Sam McVey in the post-Jack Johnson title shot period.
Battling Jim, who died during Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918, ended with a career record of 30 wins against 31 losses and six draws when his newspaper decisions are factored in. Looking at his dismal performance with the top black heavyweights of his era and his inability to best a one-armed Jack Johnson, Battling Jim Johnson cannot be considered a top contender of his era or a worthy opponent when Jack awarded him the sole title shot given to a black heavyweight from 1908 to 1937. Fittingly, he was scheduled to fight Langford before he died.
In 1915, Jack Johnson lost his title to Jess Willard, the last in a long line of Great White Hopes. Because of the animosity he had generated combined with the virulent racism of the period, it would be 22 years before another African American, Joe Louis, was given a shot at the Heavyweight title.
When it was in his power to give an African American a title shot, Jack Johnson refused to grant that privilege to Sam Langford, the fighter who after former champ Jim Jeffries, had to be considered the No. 1 contender in the heavyweight division. Johnson beat Jeffries but ducked Langford, likely as he feared losing his title. Many people consider the failure of Langford to secure a shot at the Heavyweight title one of the greatest injustices of American sports.

Later career

Langford fought heavyweight Fred Fulton twice, losing the first by seventh-round technical knockout and the second by a four-round decision. Langford was 34 and 35 in each respective fight. Langford was much heavier, yet much shorter than Fulton.
On June 5, 1922, Langford knocked out Tiger Flowers in only the second round. Langford was mostly blind and Flowers would soon afterwards win the World Middleweight Championship.
In 1923, Sam Langford fought and won Boxing's last "fight to the finish" for the Mexican Heavyweight title.
His last fight was in 1926, when his failing eyesight finally forced him to retire. Langford was 43 years old and completely blind.
Films exist of Langford fighting Fireman Jim Flynn and Bill Lang.
One story characterizing his career involved Langford in a bout where he had been ordered not to throw any knockout punches until after the 7th round. So walking out for the 8th round, after 21 minutes of patting away, Langford touched gloves with his opponent. "What's the matter, Sam, it ain't the last round!" said his mystified opponent. "Tis for you son," said Langford, who promptly knocked his opponent out. Another story involves Langford at a fight where just before it began he apologized to the audience and said he would have to make it a quick fight as he had a train to catch very soon. He then knocked out his opponent within the first round, apologized to the audience once again, and left, just in time to catch his train.

Life after boxing

Langford eventually went completely blind and ended up penniless, living in Harlem, New York City. In 1944, a newspaper column was published about his plight, after which close to $10,000 was donated by fans to help Langford. The column was titled "A Dark Man Laughs" and was written by Al Laney of the New York Herald Tribune. Eventually, funding was obtained to pay for successful eye surgery.
Langford was enshrined in the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1955. He died a year later in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he had been living in a private nursing home.
In 1999, Langford was voted Nova Scotia's top male athlete of the 20th century.
In 2013, the jazz trio Tarbaby released a CD entitled Ballad of Sam Langford. In 2016, Jacob Sampson premiered the play Chasing Champions, a dramatization of Langford's life which Sampson both wrote and starred in as Langford.
In 2018 Langford was ranked fifth in a selection of the greatest 15 athletes in Nova Scotia's history.

Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

Official record

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes
314LossBrad SimmonsTKO1 Aug 2, 1926Drumright, Oklahoma, USLangford retired completely blind
313Win178–29–38 Young Jack JohnsonKO2 Jul 1, 1926Shawnee, Oklahoma, US
312Loss177–29–38 Battling GaheePTS8Sep 25, 1925N/ALocation unknownExact date unknown
311Win177–28–38 Frolin GonzalesPTS10Apr 5, 1925MexicoReported but not confirmed
310Draw176–28–38 Tim SullivanPTS6Mar 1, 1925N/ALocation unknownExact date unknown
309Draw176–28–37 Tim SullivanPTS6Jan 1, 1925N/ALocation unknownExact date unknown
308Win176–28–36 Smiling Kid NolanKO2 Sep 10, 1924Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Reported but not confirmed
307Win175–28–36 Sydney GrantKO4 Jul 7, 1924Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Reported but not confirmed
306Win174–28–36 Eddie TremblayKO3 May 4, 1924Venice, California, USReported but not confirmed
305Loss173–28–36 Eddie TremblayPTS4Apr 23, 1924Venice, California, US
304Win173–27–36 Sammy OlsonPTS4Apr 18, 1924Bakersfield Stadium, Bakersfield, California, US
303ND172–27–36 Jim Jam BarryND4Apr 16, 1924San Fernando Stadium, San Fernando, California, USBout went four rounds. San Fernando Sun did not give result of decision though.
302Win172–27–36 Jim Jam BarryPTS4Apr 4, 1924Huntington Beach, California, US
301Win171–27–36 Smiling Kid NolanKO5 Mar 6, 1924Venice, California, USReported but not confirmed
300Win170–27–36 Tom RileyKO2 Jan 20, 1924Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
299Win169–27–36 Fireman Jim FlynnPTS8Jan 6, 1924 Ford's Arena, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
298Loss168–27–36 Sonny GoodrichPTS10Dec 18, 1923Community House, San Antonio, Texas, USFor Mexico heavyweight title
297Win168–26–36 Roscoe HallKO1 Dec 11, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Reported but not confirmed
296Win167–26–36 Andrés BalsaTKO8 Nov 10, 1923Teatro Independencia, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
295Win166–26–36 Fireman Jim FlynnKO3 Oct 19, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
294Loss165–26–36 Bearcat WrightKO9 Aug 15, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
293Win165–25–36 Fireman Jim FlynnPTS10Aug 2, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
292Loss164–25–36 Clem JohnsonTKO13, 1:25Jul 27, 1923 Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico Lost Mexico heavyweight title
291Win164–24–36 Jim TraceyKO4 Jul 15, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Mexico heavyweight title
290Win163–24–36 Jack VoightKO5 May 19, 1923 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Mexico heavyweight title
289Win162–24–36 Art SuransKO3 May 16, 1923 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Mexico heavyweight title
288Win161–24–36 Andrés BalsaKO3May 6, 1923 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Scheduled as a "finish fight"
287Win160–24–36 Andrés BalsaPTS10Apr 28, 1923Arena Cine Imperio, Torreon, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
286Win159–24–36 Chihuahua Kid BrownPTS15Apr 15, 1923 Plaza de Toros, Torreon, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
285Win158–24–36 Andrés BalsaTKO6 Apr 8, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Mexico heavyweight title
284Win157–24–36 Jack SavageKO1 Mar 31, 1923Chapultepec Bull Ring, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Won Mexico heavyweight title
283Win156–24–36 Chihuahua Kid BrownKO1 Mar 17, 1923 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
282Win155–24–36 Jim TraceyKO6 Mar 2, 1923 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
281Win154–24–36 Tom McCartyKO2 Feb 15, 1923Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
280Win153–24–36 Sonny GoodrichTKO7 Dec 25, 1922Market House Arena, San Antonio, Texas, US
279Win152–24–36 Roscoe HallKO3 Dec 24, 1922MexicoReported but not confirmed
278Win151–24–36 Jack TaylorKO8 Dec 12, 1922Mexico
277Draw150–24–36 Jim Jam BarryPTS10Nov 10, 1922Douglas, Arizona, US
276Draw150–24–35 Jack TaylorPTS15Nov 5, 1922 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
275Win150–24–34 Jack TaylorPTS15Oct 20, 1922 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
274Win149–24–34 Cyclone SmithKO2 Oct 6, 1922El Paso, Texas, US
273Win148–24–34 Battling OwensKO7 Sep 22, 1922 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
272Draw147–24–34 Jack TaylorNWS10Aug 21, 1922Mizzou Park, Sioux City, Iowa, US
271Draw147–24–34 Brad SimmonsNWS10Aug 11, 1922Wichita, Kansas, US
270Win147–24–34 Bill TatePTS12Aug 4, 1922Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
269Win146–24–34 Bearcat WrightRTD5 Jul 17, 1922Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
268Draw145–24–34 Bearcat WrightPTS12Jun 19, 1922City Auditorium, Galveston, Texas, US
267Win145–24–33 Tiger FlowersKO2 Jun 5, 1922Ponce de Leon Ballpark, Atlanta, Georgia, US
266Draw144–24–33 Ted JamiesonPTS10May 22, 1922Private club, Chicago, Illinois, US
265Win144–24–32 Roscoe HallKO4 May 16, 1922Bijou Ring, Nashville, Tennessee, US
264Win143–24–32 Roscoe HallKO2 Apr 20, 1922Venice A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
263Win142–24–32 Jack LeslieNWS10Apr 15, 1922Indianapolis, Indiana, US
262Loss142–24–32 Tut JacksonDQ5 Apr 6, 1922Triangle Park, Dayton, Ohio, US
261Loss142–23–32 Bill TatePTS8Mar 27, 1922Memphis, Tennessee, US
260Win142–22–32 Cyclone SmithKO2 Mar 17, 1922Clyffeside Park, Ashland, Kentucky, US
259Loss141–22–32 Harry WillsPTS10Jan 17, 1922Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, USFor world colored heavyweight title claim
258Win141–21–32 Young Peter JacksonNWS10Dec 9, 1921Illinois Theatre, Urbana, Illinois, US
257Win141–21–32 Lee AndersonPTS10Dec 7, 1921Tucson, Arizona, US
256Loss140–21–32 Lee AndersonPTS10Nov 24, 1921 Capital City Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, US
255Win140–20–32 Young Peter JacksonKO2 Oct 18, 1921 The Armouries, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Not to be confused with Young Peter Jackson
254Loss139–20–32 Bill TateNWS12Sep 21, 1921Riverside Arena, Covington, Kentucky, US
253Loss139–20–32 Lee AndersonNWS12Sep 5, 1921Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, US
252Draw139–20–32 Topeka Jack JohnsonPTS6Aug 19, 1921State Fairgrounds, Topeka, Kansas, US
251Win139–20–31 George GodfreyKO1 Aug 17, 1921Riverside Arena, Covington, Kentucky, US
250Win138–20–31 Lee AndersonPTS10Aug 12, 1921Omaha, Nebraska, US
249Win137–20–31 Bearcat WrightKO9 Jul 20, 1921Omaha, Nebraska, US
248Win136–20–31 Bill WatkinsKO?Feb 7, 1921N/ACanadaExact date, location and # of rounds unknown
247Win135–20–31 Alfred JohnsonKO?Feb 6, 1921N/ACanadaExact date, location and # of rounds unknown
246Draw134–20–31 Jack ThompsonPTS10Feb 3, 1921N/ACanadaExact date unknown
245Win134–20–30 Bob DevereTKO7 Jan 14, 1921Armory, Portland, Oregon, US
244Draw133–20–30 Lee AndersonPTS12Jan 7, 1921Omaha, Nebraska, US
243Win133–20–29 Jim Jam BarryPTS10Dec 29, 1920Armory, Portland, Oregon, US
242Win132–20–29 Clem JohnsonPTS10Dec 23, 1920Aberdeen, Washington, US
241Win131–20–29 Terry KellarPTS6Dec 9, 1920Aberdeen, Washington, US
240Win130–20–29 Tiny Jim HermanTKO7 Dec 2, 1920Heilig Theater, Portland, Oregon, US
239Win129–20–29 George GodfreyKO2 Nov 17, 1920Hot Springs, Arkansas, US
238Win128–20–29 Jack ThompsonPTS8Nov 15, 1920Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
237Loss127–20–29 Lee AndersonPTS10Oct 20, 1920Heilig Theater, Portland, Oregon, US
236Win127–19–29 Frank FarmerPTS4Oct 13, 1920Arena, Seattle, Washington, US
235Win126–19–29 Tiny Jim HermanKO7 Oct 6, 1920Heilig Theater, Portland, Oregon, US
234Loss125–19–29 Bill TateNWS6Sep 6, 1920Floyd Fitzsimmons Arena, Benton Harbor, Michigan, US
233Win125–19–29 Bearcat WrightPTS10Aug 30, 1920Walthill, Nebraska, US
232Win124–19–29 Sam McVeaNWS10Aug 14, 1920East Chicago, Indiana, US
231Win124–19–29 Pinky LewisKO7, 1:30Jul 26, 1920Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
230Win123–19–29 Jack MitchellKO3 Jul 2, 1920Springfield, Missouri, US
229Win122–19–29 Rough House WareKO9 Jun 7, 1920Tulane Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
228Win121–19–29 Jeff ClarkPTS15May 31, 1920Columbus, Ohio, US
227Win120–19–29 Marty CutlerTKO3 May 18, 1920 Armouries, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
226Draw119–19–29 George GodfreyPTS10May 1, 1920N/ACanadaExact date unknown
225Loss119–19–28 Harry WillsPTS15Apr 23, 1920Detroit, Michigan, USFor world colored heavyweight title
224Win119–18–28 Silas GreenKO3 Apr 9, 1920Detroit, Michigan, US
223Win118–18–28 Jack ThompsonPTS15Apr 5, 1920Convention Hall, Muskogee, Oklahoma, US
222Win117–18–28 Jamaica KidTKO7 Mar 29, 1920Columbus, Ohio, US
221Win116–18–28 Battling GaheeKO2 Feb 23, 1920Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
220Draw115–18–28 Jeff ClarkNWS10Feb 16, 1920K of C Hall, Terre Haute, Indiana, US
219Win115–18–28 Jeff ClarkNWS10Jan 16, 1920Kalamazoo, Michigan, US
218Win115–18–28 Dave McBrideKO1, 1:00Dec 3, 1919Liberty Theater, Camp Grant, Illinois, US
217NC114–18–28 Jack ThompsonNC6 Nov 24, 1919Shrine Auditorium, Duluth, Minnesota, USBoth fighters were fined $500 for stalling
216Win114–18–28 Mexican Jim JohnsonKO9 Nov 17, 1919Auditorium, Sioux City, Iowa, US
215Loss113–18–28 Harry WillsPTS15Nov 5, 1919Convention Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USFor world colored heavyweight title
214Draw113–17–28 Jack ThompsonPTS15Oct 21, 1919Tulsa, Oklahoma, USBout was advertised for the colored heavyweight championship
213Loss113–17–27 Harry WillsNWS10Sep 30, 1919Arena, Syracuse, New York, US
212Win113–17–27 Rough House WilsonKO4 Sep 18, 1919Battle Creek, Michigan, US
211Win112–17–27 Bill TateNWS10Aug 23, 1919Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
210Draw112–17–27 Jack ThompsonPTS15Aug 4, 1919Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
209Loss112–17–26 Harry WillsNWS8Jul 4, 1919Sportsman's Park, Saint Louis, Missouri, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
208Win112–17–26 Bill TateDQ5 Jun 19, 1919Nicollet Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USTate was disqualified for holding
207Win111–17–26 Billy HooperKO4 Apr 30, 1919Springer Opera House, Columbus, Georgia, US
206Loss110–17–26 Willie MeehanPTS4Mar 4, 1919Coliseum, San Francisco, California, US
205Loss110–16–26 Fred FultonPTS4Dec 27, 1918Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
204Win110–15–26 Jeff ClarkPTS8Dec 16, 1918Nashville, Tennessee, US
203Win109–15–26 Big Boy ButlerKO5 Dec 12, 1918Empire Theatre, Rock Island, Illinois, US
202Loss108–15–26 Jeff ClarkNWS6Nov 28, 1918Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
201Draw108–15–26 Jeff ClarkPTS10Nov 15, 1918Atlanta, Georgia, US
200Draw108–15–25 Jeff ClarkPTS12Oct 31, 1918Crescent Rink, Lowell, Massachusetts, US
199Win108–15–24 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS8Aug 22, 1918Lafayette A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, US
198Win108–15–24 Rough House WareKO9 Aug 19, 1918Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
197Win107–15–24 Jack ThompsonNWS6Aug 8, 1918Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
196Win107–15–24 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS8Aug 5, 1918Atlantic City S.C., Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
195Win107–15–24 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS10Jun 19, 1918Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, US
194Loss106–15–24 Harry WillsTKO8 May 19, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama For world colored heavyweight title
193Loss106–14–24 Harry WillsKO6 Apr 14, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama Lost world colored heavyweight title
192Win106–13–24 Kid NorfolkKO2 Dec 17, 1917Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
191Draw105–13–24 Harry WillsNWS12Nov 12, 1917Coliseum, Toledo, Ohio, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
190Loss105–13–24 Harry WillsNWS10Sep 20, 1917Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
189Win105–13–24 Andy JohnsonKO2 Sep 17, 1917Maryland A.C., Ardmore, Maryland, US
188Win104–13–24 Joe JennetteNWS12Sep 14, 1917Coliseum, Toledo, Ohio, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
187Win104–13–24 Andre AndersonTKO2 Aug 17, 1917Urban Liberty Park, Buffalo, New York, US
186Loss103–13–24 Fred FultonTKO7 Jun 19, 1917Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
185Loss103–12–24 Harry WillsNWS6May 11, 1917Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
184Win103–12–24 Bill TateKO5 May 1, 1917Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, USWon world colored heavyweight title
183Win102–12–24 Bob DevereNWS10Apr 20, 1917Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, US
182Win102–12–24 Jack ThompsonNWS10Apr 10, 1917Broadway S.C., New York City, New York, US
181Loss102–12–24 Bill TatePTS12Jan 25, 1917Grand Opera House, Kansas City, Missouri, USLost world colored heavyweight title
180Win102–11–24 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS12Jan 1, 1917Academy A.C., Kansas City, Missouri, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
179Win101–11–24 Bob DevereNWS10Dec 29, 1916 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
178Win101–11–24 Battling Jim JohnsonKO12, 2:30Dec 12, 1916Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
177Draw100–11–24 Bill TateNWS10Nov 30, 1916 Arena, Syracuse, New York, US
176Draw100–11–24 Sam McVeaPTS20Aug 12, 1916 Teatro Roma, Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, Argentina Retained world colored heavyweight title
175Win100–11–23 Joe JennetteKO7 May 12, 1916Arena, Syracuse, New York, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim;
Won undisputed world colored heavyweight title
174Draw99–11–23 Sam McVeaNWS12May 2, 1916East Market St. Rink, Akron, Ohio, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
173Loss99–11–23 Harry WillsNWS8Apr 25, 1916Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
172Win99–11–23 Sam McVeaNWS10Apr 7, 1916Arena, Syracuse, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
171Win99–11–23 Jeff ClarkTKO5 Mar 31, 1916Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
170Win98–11–23 Dave MillsTKO2 Mar 23, 1916Arena, Syracuse, New York, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
169Loss97–11–23 Harry WillsNWS10Mar 7, 1916Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
168Win97–11–23 Cleve HawkinsNWS10Feb 28, 1916Long Acre A.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
167Win97–11–23 Sam McVeaNWS10Feb 17, 1916Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
166Win97–11–23 Harry WillsKO19 Feb 11, 1916Tommy Burns Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, USWon world colored heavyweight title claim
165Loss96–11–23 Harry WillsPTS20Jan 3, 1916Tulane A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, USFor world colored heavyweight title claim
164Loss96–10–23 Harry WillsNWS10Dec 3, 1915Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
163Draw96–10–23 Sam McVeaNWS10Nov 23, 1915American A.C., New York City, New York, US
162Win96–10–23 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS15Oct 18, 1915National A.C., Denver, Colorado, US
161Draw95–10–23 Sam McVeaPTS20Sep 30, 1915Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, US
160Win95–10–22 Jack ThompsonTKO1, 0:32Jul 16, 1915National A.C., Denver, Colorado, US
159Loss94–10–22 Sam McVeaPTS12Jun 29, 1915Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USFor a claim of the world colored heavyweight title
158Win94–9–22 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Jun 8, 1915Broadway S.C., New York City, New York, US
157NC94–9–22 Porky Dan FlynnNC8 Apr 19, 1915 Montreal Sporting Club, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Neither man appeared willing to really mix it, as they boxed with open gloves despite repeated warnings from referee Rooney.
156Loss94–9–22 Joe JennettePTS12Apr 13, 1915Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USLost world colored heavyweight title
155Win94–8–22 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Apr 6, 1915135th Street A.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
154Win94–8–22 Harry WillsKO14 Nov 26, 1914Arena, Vernon, California, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
153Win93–8–22 Jim CameronTKO6 Nov 16, 1914Arctic Street Arena, San Diego, California, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
152Win92–8–22 Tom McMahonTKO6 Nov 10, 1914Arena, Vernon, California, US
151Loss91–8–22 Jeff ClarkNWS10Oct 26, 1914Joplin, Missouri, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
150Win91–8–22 Gunboat SmithKO3 Oct 20, 1914Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
149Win90–8–22 Colin BellTKO4 Oct 6, 1914Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
148Draw89–8–22 Joe JennetteNWS10Oct 1, 1914Stadium A.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
147Draw89–8–22 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS12Sep 15, 1914Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
146Win89–8–21 George 'Kid' CottonKO4 Aug 25, 1914Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
145Win88–8–21 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Aug 12, 1914Stadium A.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
144Win88–8–21 Bill WatkinsKO4 May 25, 1914Olympic A.C., Rochester, New York, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
143Draw87–8–21 Harry WillsNWS10May 1, 1914National Baseball Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
142Win87–8–21 Rough House WareTKO5 Apr 20, 1914Memphis, Tennessee, US
141Win86–8–21 George 'Kid' CottonPTS8Apr 15, 1914Chattanooga, Tennessee, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
140Win85–8–21 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Mar 27, 1914Empire A.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
139Win85–8–21 Bill WatkinsTKO1 Mar 23, 1914National S.C., New York City, New York, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
138Win84–8–21 Matthew CurranKO1, 0:30Jan 24, 1914Luna Park Arena, Paris, France
137Win83–8–21 Joe JennettePTS20Dec 20, 1913Luna Park Arena, Paris, FranceWon vacant
136Loss82–8–21 Gunboat SmithPTS12Nov 17, 1913Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
135Win82–7–21 Jack LesterRTD5 Oct 27, 1913Taft, California, US
134Loss81–7–21 Joe JennetteNWS10Oct 3, 1913Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
133Win81–7–21 John Lester JohnsonKO1 Sep 9, 1913Atlantic Garden A.C., New York City, New York, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
132Win80–7–21 Porky Dan FlynnKO4 Aug 26, 1913Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
131Draw79–7–21 Colin BellPTS15Jun 19, 1913Gymnasium Ground, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
130Draw79–7–20 Sam McVeaPTS20Mar 24, 1913Olympic Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Retained world colored heavyweight title
129Win79–7–19 Jim BarryKO1 Mar 15, 1913Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
128Win78–7–19 Sam McVeaKO13 Dec 26, 1912 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Retained Australian and world colored heavyweight titles
127Win77–7–19 Sam McVeaTKO11 Oct 9, 1912Exhibition Stadium, Perth, Western Australia, Australia Retained Australian and world colored heavyweight titles; McVea claimed he was fouled. The ref disagreed and McVea refused to continue.
126Win76–7–19 Sam McVeaPTS20Aug 3, 1912 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Retained Australian and world colored heavyweight titles
125Win75–7–19 Porky Dan FlynnTKO14 May 27, 1912 Athletic Pavilion, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
124Win74–7–19 Jim BarryTKO11 May 13, 1912 Athletic Pavilion, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
123Win73–7–19 Sam McVeaPTS20Apr 8, 1912 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Won Australian and world colored heavyweight titles
122Win72–7–19 Jim BarryPTS20Feb 12, 1912 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
121Loss71–7–19 Sam McVeaPTS20Dec 26, 1911 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Lost world colored heavyweight title
120Win71–6–19 Tony CaponiTKO3 Nov 6, 1911Twentieth Century A.C., New York City, New York, US
119Win70–6–19 Joe JennetteNWS10Sep 5, 1911Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
118Win70–6–19 Tony RossKO6 Aug 24, 1911National Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
117Win69–6–19 Philadelphia Jack O'BrienTKO5, 2:00Aug 15, 1911Twentieth Century A.C., New York City, New York, US
116Win68–6–19 Jim SmithTKO5 Aug 9, 1911Atlantic Garden A.C., New York City, New York, US
11567–6–19 Jack DriscollND10Jul 29, 1911Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
114Win67–6–19 Jack FitzgeraldTKO5 Jun 29, 1911National S.C., New York City, New York, US
113Win66–6–19 Tony CaponiNWS10Jun 16, 1911 Auditorium Rink, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
112Win66–6–19 Ralph CallowayTKO4 May 30, 1911Alhambra, Syracuse, New York, US
111Draw65–6–19 Sam McVeaPTS20Apr 1, 1911 Cirque de Paris, Paris, FranceRetained world colored heavyweight title
110Win65–6–18 Bill LangDQ6 Feb 21, 1911Olympia Annexe, Kensington, London, England
109Win64–6–18 Fred AtwaterTKO3 Jan 16, 1911State Armory, Utica, New York, US
108Win63–6–18 Joe JennettePTS12Jan 10, 1911Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
107Win62–6–18 Morris HarrisKO2 Dec 6, 1910Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
106Win61–6–18 Jeff ClarkTKO2 Nov 10, 1910Business Men's A.C., Joplin, Missouri, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
105Win60–6–18 Joe JennettePTS15Sep 6, 1910Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
Won world colored heavyweight title
104Win59–6–18 Al KubiakTKO2 May 17, 1910Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
103Win58–6–18 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS6May 14, 1910National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
102Win58–6–18 Stanley KetchelNWS6Apr 27, 1910National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
101Win58–6–18 Jim BarryKO16 Apr 14, 1910Arena, Vernon, California, US
100Win57–6–18 Fireman Jim FlynnKO8 Mar 17, 1910Jeffries' Arena, Vernon, California, US
99Win56–6–18 Nat DeweyTKO1, 1:50Feb 22, 1910Turner Hall, Cheyenne, Wyoming, US
98Loss55–6–18 Fireman Jim FlynnNWS10Feb 8, 1910Naud Junction Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
97Win55–6–18 Dixie KidKO3 Jan 10, 1910Phoenix A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
96Win54–6–18 Mike SchreckTKO1 Nov 23, 1909Old City Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
95Win53–6–18 Klondike HaynesKO2, 1:35Nov 2, 1909Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
94Win52–6–18 Dixie KidRTD5 Sep 28, 1909Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
93Win51–6–18 Klondike HaynesNWS6Jul 13, 1909Bijou Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USClaimed vacant world colored heavyweight title
92Win51–6–18 William HagueKO4, 1:59May 24, 1909National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandWon inaugural NSC version of the world heavyweight title
91Draw50–6–18 Sandy FergusonPTS12Apr 27, 1909Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
90Win50–6–17 Al KubiakNWS6Apr 17, 1909National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
89Draw50–6–17 Jim BarryNWS10Apr 14, 1909Chadwick Park, Albany, US
88Win50–6–17 John WillieKO2 Apr 3, 1909National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
87Win49–6–17 Morris HarrisTKO7 Mar 29, 1909Marathon A.C., New York City, New York, US
86Win48–6–17 Jim BarryNWS6Mar 17, 1909Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
85Win48–6–17 Fireman Jim FlynnKO1, 2:14Dec 21, 1908Coliseum, San Francisco, California, US
84Win47–6–17 Joe JennetteNWS6Sep 1, 1908National A.C., New York City, New York, US
83Win47–6–17 Tony RossTKO5 Aug 7, 1908Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
82Win46–6–17 John WillieKO2 Jul 21, 1908Navarre A.C., New York City, New York, US
81Win45–6–17 Jim BarryKO3 Jun 19, 1908Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
80Win44–6–17 Sandy FergusonPTS12May 19, 1908Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
79Win43–6–17 Jim BarryKO2 Apr 7, 1908Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
78Win42–6–17 Larry TemplePTS8Mar 11, 1908Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
77Draw41–6–17 Joe JennettePTS12Mar 3, 1908Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, US
76Win41–6–16 Black FitzsimmonsTKO4 Feb 10, 1908Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
75Draw40–6–16 Jim BarryNWS10Jan 14, 1908Pacific A.C., Los Angeles, California, US
74Win40–6–16 Jim BarryPTS10Dec 17, 1907Naud Junction Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
73Win39–6–16 Young Peter JacksonPTS20Nov 12, 1907Pacific A.C., Los Angeles, California, USWon vacant world colored middleweight title
72Win38–6–16 Jim BarryNWS10Oct 15, 1907Winnisimmet A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
71Win38–6–16 Jim BarryNWS6Sep 25, 1907Sharkey A.C., New York City, New York, US
70Win38–6–16 Larry TempleNWS10Aug 27, 1907Winnisimmet A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, USVacant world colored middleweight title at stake
69Win38–6–16 Geoff ThorneKO1 Jun 3, 1907 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
68Win37–6–16 Tiger SmithKO4, 0:57Apr 22, 1907 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandWon vacant NSC British and Commonwealth middleweight titles
67Win36–6–16 Kid WilliamsKO6 Jan 31, 1907Rochester, New York, US
66Draw35–6–16 Joe JennettePTS12Jan 11, 1907Unity Cycle Club, Lawrence, Massachusetts, US
65Win35–6–15 George GuntherTKO3 Nov 29, 1906Haverhill, Massachusetts, US
64Win34–6–15 Young Peter JacksonPTS15Nov 21, 1906Rochester, New York, US
63Win33–6–15 George GuntherPTS12Nov 12, 1906Valley Falls A.C., Valley Falls, Rhode Island, US
62Loss32–6–15 Young Peter JacksonTKO5 Jun 13, 1906Southbridge, Massachusetts, Massachusetts, US
61Loss32–5–15 Jack JohnsonPTS15Apr 26, 1906Lincoln A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, USFor world colored heavyweight title
60Win32–4–15 Joe JennettePTS15Apr 5, 1906Lincoln A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
59Win31–4–15 Black FitzsimmonsTKO11 Mar 19, 1906Lakeside A.C., Webster, Massachusetts, US
58Win30–4–15 Larry TempleKO15, 2:20Mar 1, 1906Lincoln A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
57Loss29–4–15 Joe JennetteTKO8 Dec 25, 1905Unity Cycle Club, Lawrence, Massachusetts, USLangford retired after round 8.
56NC29–3–15 Jack BlackburnNC1 Oct 7, 1905National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USIt was quickly evident that Langford and Blackburn
agreed to participate only if the fight was faked, so it was stopped
55Draw29–3–15 Young Peter JacksonPTS15Sep 29, 1905Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US
54Draw29–3–14 Jack BlackburnPTS10Sep 20, 1905Lyric A.C., Allentown, Pennsylvania, US
53Draw29–3–13 Larry TemplePTS15Sep 7, 1905Highland A.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts, US
52Win29–3–12 Jack BlackburnPTS15Aug 18, 1905Leiperville, Pennsylvania, US
51Loss28–3–12 Larry TemplePTS15Jul 4, 1905Marlborough, Massachusetts, US
50Win28–2–12 Young Peter JacksonPTS15Jun 16, 1905Douglas A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
49Win27–2–12 Young Peter JacksonPTS15May 26, 1905Highland A.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts, US
48Win26–2–12 Bogardus HydeTKO3 May 16, 1905Music Hall, Webster, Massachusetts, US
47Win25–2–12 George GuntherPTS12Mar 13, 1905Auditorium, Portland, Maine, US
4624–2–12 George ColeNC9 Mar 3, 1905Chelsea, Massachusetts, USThe fight was called "no contest" because of a lack of action
45Win24–2–12 Dave HollyNWS15Feb 13, 1905Apollo A.C., Salem, Massachusetts, US
44Win24–2–12 George GuntherTKO11 Jan 20, 1905Douglas A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
43Win23–2–12 Joe ReedKO5 Jan 16, 1905Music Hall, Webster, Massachusetts, US
42Win22–2–12 Joe ReedTKO9 Dec 22, 1904Paper City A.C., Berlin, New Hampshire, US
41Draw21–2–12 Jack BlackburnPTS15Dec 9, 1904Marlborough Theater, Marlborough, Massachusetts, US
40Win21–2–11 Tommy SullivanTKO3 Nov 25, 1904Highland A.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts, US
39Win20–2–11 Andy WatsonNWS12Nov 24, 1904Music Hall, Webster, Massachusetts, US
38Draw20–2–11 Dave HollyNWS6Nov 4, 1904Manhattan A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
37Draw20–2–11 Dave HollyPTS15Sep 30, 1904Eureka A.C., Baltimore, Maryland, US
36Draw20–2–10 Barbados Joe WalcottPTS15Sep 5, 1904Lake Massabesic Coliseum, Manchester, New Hampshire, USFor world welterweight title
35Win20–2–9 George 'Elbows' McFaddenTKO2 Jul 29, 1904Manchester, New Hampshire, US
34Loss19–2–9 Dave HollyPTS10Apr 11, 1904Cambridge A.A., Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
33Win19–1–9 Willie LewisKO2 Feb 22, 1904Warren A.C., New Bedford, Massachusetts, US
32Win18–1–9 Charles JohnsonTKO5 Feb 13, 1904Central A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
31Win17–1–9 Belfield WalcottNWS6Jan 27, 1904Central A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
30Draw17–1–9 Jack BlackburnNWS6Jan 11, 1904Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
29Draw17–1–9 Andy WatsonPTS12Jan 6, 1904North Street Rink, Salem, Massachusetts, US
28Draw17–1–8 Jack BlackburnPTS12Dec 23, 1903Central A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
27Win17–1–7 Joe GansPTS15Dec 8, 1903Criterion A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
26Win16–1–7 Joe ReedDQ4 Nov 28, 1903Central A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, USReed threw Langford and was disqualified.
25Win15–1–7 Patsy SweeneyKO12, 2:38Nov 20, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
24Win14–1–7 Arthur CoteTKO5 Oct 5, 1903American A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
23Win13–1–7 Shadow MorrisPTS12Sep 15, 1903Central A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
22Win12–1–7 Kid GriffoPTS12Aug 28, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
21Win11–1–7 Belfield WalcottPTS20Jul 16, 1903Saundersville Athletic Club, Scituate, Rhode Island, US
20Loss10–1–7 Danny DuanePTS12Jun 26, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
19Win10–0–7 Walter BurgoTKO8 Jun 19, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
18Draw9–0–7 Andy WatsonPTS12Jun 15, 1903Gloucester A.C., Gloucester, Massachusetts, US
17Win9–0–6 Tim KearnsTKO2 Jun 5, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, USKearns quit with an arm injury.
16Draw8–0–6 Andy WatsonPTS12May 29, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
15Win8–0–5 Chick MonahanKO1 May 26, 1903Criterion A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
14Win7–0–5 Billy JordanPTS6May 25, 1903Cambridge Athletic Club, Boston, Massachusetts, US
13Draw6–0–5 Andy WatsonPTS10May 8, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, USPre-arranged draw if lasting the distance
12ND6–0–4 Andy WatsonND12Apr 20, 1903West End A.C., Lawrence, Massachusetts, US
11Win6–0–4 Stonewall AllenPTS6Apr 16, 1903Essex A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
10Draw5–0–4 Stonewall AllenPTS6Apr 3, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
9Win5–0–3 John E. ButlerPTS6Mar 26, 1903Essex A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
8Draw4–0–3 Johnny JohnsonPTS6Mar 5, 1903Essex A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
7Win4–0–2 Sadler JenningsKO2 Mar 4, 1903Highland Athletic Club, Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
6Win3–0–2 Luther ManualPTS10Feb 27, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
5Draw2–0–2 Luther ManualPTS6Feb 6, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
4Draw2–0–1 Luther ManualPTS4Jan 23, 1903Essex A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
32–0 Billy ChisholmND6Jan 22, 1903Lawrence, Massachusetts, US
2Win2–0Arthur PrattKO1 Jan 15, 1903Essex A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
1Win1–0Jack McVickerKO5 Apr 11, 1902Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US

Unofficial record

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes
314LossBrad SimmonsTKO1 Aug 2, 1925Drumright, Oklahoma, USLangford retired completely blind
313Win210–43–52 Young Jack JohnsonKO2 Jul 1, 1925Shawnee, Oklahoma, US
312Loss209–43–52 Battling GaheePTS8Sep 25, 1925N/ALocation unknownExact date unknown
311Win209–42–52 Frolin GonzalesPTS10Apr 5, 1925MexicoReported but not confirmed
310Draw208–42–52 Tim SullivanPTS6Mar 1, 1925N/ALocation unknownExact date unknown
309Draw208–42–51 Tim SullivanPTS6Jan 1, 1925N/ALocation unknownExact date unknown
308Win208–42–50 Smiling 'Kid' NolanKO2 Sep 10, 1924Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Reported but not confirmed
307Win207–42–50 Sydney GrantKO4 Jul 7, 1924Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Reported but not confirmed
306Win206–42–50 Eddie TremblayKO3 May 4, 1924Venice, California, USReported but not confirmed
305Loss205–42–50 Eddie TremblayPTS4Apr 23, 1924Venice, California, US
304Win205–41–50 Sammy OlsonPTS4Apr 18, 1924Bakersfield Stadium, Bakersfield, California, US
303ND204–41–50 Jim Jam BarryND4Apr 16, 1924San Fernando Stadium, San Fernando, California, USBout went four rounds. San Fernando Sun did not give result of decision though.
302Win204–41–50 Jim Jam BarryPTS4Apr 4, 1924Huntington Beach, California, US
301Win203–41–50 Smiling 'Kid' NolanKO5 Mar 6, 1924Venice, California, USReported but not confirmed
300Win202–41–50 Tom RileyKO2 Jan 20, 1924Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
299Win201–41–50 Fireman Jim FlynnPTS8Jan 6, 1924 Ford's Arena, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
298Loss200–41–50 Sonny GoodrichPTS10Dec 18, 1923Community House, San Antonio, Texas, USFor Mexico heavyweight title
297Win200–40–50 Roscoe HallKO1 Dec 11, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Reported but not confirmed
296Win199–40–50 Andrés BalsaTKO8 Nov 10, 1923Teatro Independencia, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
295Win198–40–50 Fireman Jim FlynnKO3 Oct 19, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
294Loss197–40–50 Bearcat WrightKO9 Aug 15, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
293Win197–39–50 Fireman Jim FlynnPTS10Aug 2, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
292Loss196–39–50 Clem JohnsonTKO13, 1:25Jul 27, 1923 Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico Lost Mexico heavyweight title
291Win196–38–50 Jim TraceyKO4 Jul 15, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Mexico heavyweight title
290Win195–38–50 Jack VoightKO5 May 19, 1923 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Mexico heavyweight title
289Win194–38–50 Art SuransKO3 May 16, 1923 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Mexico heavyweight title
288Win193–38–50 Andrés BalsaKO3May 6, 1923 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Scheduled as a "finish fight"
287Win192–38–50 Andrés BalsaPTS10Apr 28, 1923Arena Cine Imperio, Torreon, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
286Win191–38–50 Chihuahua 'Kid' BrownPTS15Apr 15, 1923 Plaza de Toros, Torreon, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
285Win190–38–50 Andrés BalsaTKO6 Apr 8, 1923Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Mexico heavyweight title
284Win189–38–50 Jack SavageKO1 Mar 31, 1923Chapultepec Bull Ring, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Won Mexico heavyweight title
283Win188–38–50 Chihuahua 'Kid' BrownKO1 Mar 17, 1923 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
282Win187–38–50 Jim TraceyKO6 Mar 2, 1923 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
281Win186–38–50 Tom McCartyKO2 Feb 15, 1923Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
280Win185–38–50 Sonny GoodrichTKO7 Dec 25, 1922Market House Arena, San Antonio, Texas, US
279Win184–38–50 Roscoe HallKO3 Dec 24, 1922MexicoReported but not confirmed
278Win183–38–50 Jack TaylorKO8 Dec 12, 1922Mexico
277Draw182–38–50 Jim Jam BarryPTS10Nov 10, 1922Douglas, Arizona, US
276Draw182–38–49 Jack TaylorPTS15Nov 5, 1922 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
275Win182–38–48 Jack TaylorPTS15Oct 20, 1922 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
274Win181–38–48 Cyclone SmithKO2 Oct 6, 1922El Paso, Texas, US
273Win180–38–48 Battling OwensKO7 Sep 22, 1922 Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
272Draw179–38–48 Jack TaylorNWS10Aug 21, 1922Mizzou Park, Sioux City, Iowa, US
271Draw179–38–47 Brad SimmonsNWS10Aug 11, 1922Wichita, Kansas, US
270Win179–38–46 Bill TatePTS12Aug 4, 1922Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
269Win178–38–46 Bearcat WrightRTD5 Jul 17, 1922Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
268Draw177–38–46 Bearcat WrightPTS12Jun 19, 1922City Auditorium, Galveston, Texas, US
267Win177–38–45 Tiger FlowersKO2 Jun 5, 1922Ponce de Leon Ballpark, Atlanta, Georgia, US
266Draw176–38–45 Ted JamiesonPTS10May 22, 1922Private club, Chicago, Illinois, US
265Win176–38–44 Roscoe HallKO4 May 16, 1922Bijou Ring, Nashville, Tennessee, US
264Win175–38–44 Roscoe HallKO2 Apr 20, 1922Venice A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
263Win174–38–44 Jack LeslieNWS10Apr 15, 1922Indianapolis, Indiana, US
262Loss173–38–44 Tut JacksonDQ5 Apr 6, 1922Triangle Park, Dayton, Ohio, US
261Loss173–37–44 Bill TatePTS8Mar 27, 1922Memphis, Tennessee, US
260Win173–36–44 Cyclone SmithKO2 Mar 17, 1922Clyffeside Park, Ashland, Kentucky, US
259Loss172–36–44 Harry WillsPTS10Jan 17, 1922Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, USFor world colored heavyweight title claim
258Win172–35–44 Young Peter JacksonNWS10Dec 9, 1921Illinois Theatre, Urbana, Illinois, US
257Win171–35–44 Lee AndersonPTS10Dec 7, 1921Tucson, Arizona, US
256Loss170–35–44 Lee AndersonPTS10Nov 24, 1921 Capital City Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, US
255Win170–34–44 Young Peter JacksonKO2 Oct 18, 1921 The Armouries, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Not to be confused with Young Peter Jackson
254Loss169–34–44 Bill TateNWS12Sep 21, 1921Riverside Arena, Covington, Kentucky, US
253Loss169–33–44 Lee AndersonNWS12Sep 5, 1921Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, US
252Draw169–32–44 Topeka Jack JohnsonPTS6Aug 19, 1921State Fairgrounds, Topeka, Kansas, US
251Win169–32–43 George GodfreyKO1 Aug 17, 1921Riverside Arena, Covington, Kentucky, US
250Win168–32–43 Lee AndersonPTS10Aug 12, 1921Omaha, Nebraska, US
249Win167–32–43 Bearcat WrightKO9 Jul 20, 1921Omaha, Nebraska, US
248Win166–32–43 Bill WatkinsKO?Feb 7, 1921N/ACanadaExact date, location and # of rounds unknown
247Win165–32–43 Alfred JohnsonKO?Feb 6, 1921N/ACanadaExact date, location and # of rounds unknown
246Draw164–32–43 Jack ThompsonPTS10Feb 3, 1921N/ACanadaExact date unknown
245Win164–32–42 Bob DevereTKO7 Jan 14, 1921Armory, Portland, Oregon, US
244Draw163–32–42 Lee AndersonPTS12Jan 7, 1921Omaha, Nebraska, US
243Win163–32–41 Jim Jam BarryPTS10Dec 29, 1920Armory, Portland, Oregon, US
242Win162–32–41 Clem JohnsonPTS10Dec 23, 1920Aberdeen, Washington, US
241Win161–32–41 Terry KellarPTS6Dec 9, 1920Aberdeen, Washington, US
240Win160–32–41 Tiny Jim HermanTKO7 Dec 2, 1920Heilig Theater, Portland, Oregon, US
239Win159–32–41 George GodfreyKO2 Nov 17, 1920Hot Springs, Arkansas, US
238Win158–32–41 Jack ThompsonPTS8Nov 15, 1920Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
237Loss157–32–41 Lee AndersonPTS10Oct 20, 1920Heilig Theater, Portland, Oregon, US
236Win157–31–41 Frank FarmerPTS4Oct 13, 1920Arena, Seattle, Washington, US
235Win156–31–41 Tiny Jim HermanKO7 Oct 6, 1920Heilig Theater, Portland, Oregon, US
234Loss155–31–41 Bill TateNWS6Sep 6, 1920Floyd Fitzsimmons Arena, Benton Harbor, Michigan, US
233Win155–30–41 Bearcat WrightPTS10Aug 30, 1920Walthill, Nebraska, US
232Win154–30–41 Sam McVeaNWS10Aug 14, 1920East Chicago, Indiana, US
231Win153–30–41 Pinky LewisKO7, 1:30Jul 26, 1920Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
230Win152–30–41 Jack MitchellKO3 Jul 2, 1920Springfield, Missouri, US
229Win151–30–41 Rough House WareKO9 Jun 7, 1920Tulane Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
228Win150–30–41 Jeff ClarkPTS15May 31, 1920Columbus, Ohio, US
227Win149–30–41 Marty CutlerTKO3 May 18, 1920 Armouries, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
226Draw148–30–41 George GodfreyPTS10May 1, 1920N/ACanadaExact date unknown
225Loss148–30–40 Harry WillsPTS15Apr 23, 1920Detroit, Michigan, USFor world colored heavyweight title
224Win148–29–40 Silas GreenKO3 Apr 9, 1920Detroit, Michigan, US
223Win147–29–40 Jack ThompsonPTS15Apr 5, 1920Convention Hall, Muskogee, Oklahoma, US
222Win146–29–40 Jamaica KidTKO7 Mar 29, 1920Columbus, Ohio, US
221Win145–29–40 Battling GaheeKO2 Feb 23, 1920Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
220Draw144–29–40 Jeff ClarkNWS10Feb 16, 1920K of C Hall, Terre Haute, Indiana, US
219Win144–29–39 Jeff ClarkNWS10Jan 16, 1920Kalamazoo, Michigan, US
218Win143–29–39 Dave McBrideKO1, 1:00Dec 3, 1919Liberty Theater, Camp Grant, Illinois, US
217NC142–29–39 Jack ThompsonNC6 Nov 24, 1919Shrine Auditorium, Duluth, Minnesota, USBoth fighters were fined $500 for stalling
216Win142–29–39 Mexican Jim JohnsonKO9 Nov 17, 1919Auditorium, Sioux City, Iowa, US
215Loss141–29–39 Harry WillsPTS15Nov 5, 1919Convention Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USFor world colored heavyweight title
214Draw141–28–39 Jack ThompsonPTS15Oct 21, 1919Tulsa, Oklahoma, USbout was advertised for the colored heavyweight championship
213Loss141–28–38 Harry WillsNWS10Sep 30, 1919Arena, Syracuse, New York, US
212Win141–27–38 Rough House WilsonKO4 Sep 18, 1919Battle Creek, Michigan, US
211Win140–27–38 Bill TateNWS10Aug 23, 1919Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
210Draw139–27–38 Jack ThompsonPTS15Aug 4, 1919Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
209Loss139–27–37 Harry WillsNWS8Jul 4, 1919Sportsman's Park, Saint Louis, Missouri, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake;
208Win139–26–37 Bill TateDQ5 Jun 19, 1919Nicollet Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USTate was disqualified for holding
207Win138–26–37 Billy HooperKO4 Apr 30, 1919Springer Opera House, Columbus, Georgia, US
206Loss137–26–37 Willie MeehanPTS4Mar 4, 1919Coliseum, San Francisco, California, US
205Loss137–25–37 Fred FultonPTS4Dec 27, 1918Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
204Win137–24–37 Jeff ClarkPTS8Dec 16, 1918Nashville, Tennessee, US
203Win136–24–37 Big Boy ButlerKO5 Dec 12, 1918Empire Theatre, Rock Island, Illinois, US
202Loss135–24–37 Jeff ClarkNWS6Nov 28, 1918Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
201Draw135–23–37 Jeff ClarkPTS10Nov 15, 1918Atlanta, Georgia, US
200Draw135–23–36 Jeff ClarkPTS12Oct 31, 1918Crescent Rink, Lowell, Massachusetts, US
199Win135–23–35 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS8Aug 22, 1918Lafayette A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, US
198Win134–23–35 Rough House WareKO9 Aug 19, 1918Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
197Win133–23–35 Jack ThompsonNWS6Aug 8, 1918Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
196Win132–23–35 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS8Aug 5, 1918Atlantic City S.C., Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
195Win131–23–35 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS10Jun 19, 1918Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, US
194Loss130–23–35 Harry WillsTKO8 May 19, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama For world colored heavyweight title
193Loss130–22–35 Harry WillsKO6 Apr 14, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama Lost world colored heavyweight title
192Win130–21–35 Kid NorfolkKO2 Dec 17, 1917Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
191Draw129–21–35 Harry WillsNWS12Nov 12, 1917Coliseum, Toledo, Ohio, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
190Loss129–21–34 Harry WillsNWS10Sep 20, 1917Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
189Win129–20–34 Andy JohnsonKO2 Sep 17, 1917Maryland A.C., Ardmore, Maryland, US
188Win128–20–34 Joe JennetteNWS12Sep 14, 1917Coliseum, Toledo, Ohio, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
187Win127–20–34 Andre AndersonTKO2 Aug 17, 1917Urban Liberty Park, Buffalo, New York, US
186Loss126–20–34 Fred FultonTKO7 Jun 19, 1917Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
185Loss126–19–34 Harry WillsNWS6May 11, 1917Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
184Win126–18–34 Bill TateKO5 May 1, 1917Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, USWon world colored heavyweight title
183Win125–18–34 Bob DevereNWS10Apr 20, 1917Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, US
182Win124–18–34 Jack ThompsonNWS10Apr 10, 1917Broadway S.C., New York City, New York, US
181Loss123–18–34 Bill TatePTS12Jan 25, 1917Grand Opera House, Kansas City, Missouri, USLost world colored heavyweight title
180Win123–17–34 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS12Jan 1, 1917Academy A.C., Kansas City, Missouri, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
179Win122–17–34 Bob DevereNWS10Dec 29, 1916 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
178Win121–17–34 Battling Jim JohnsonKO12, 2:30Dec 12, 1916Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
177Draw120–17–34 Bill TateNWS10Nov 30, 1916 Arena, Syracuse, New York, US
176Draw120–17–33 Sam McVeaPTS20Aug 12, 1916 Teatro Roma, Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, Argentina Retained world colored heavyweight title
175Win120–17–32 Joe JennetteKO7 May 12, 1916Arena, Syracuse, New York, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim;
Won undisputed world colored heavyweight title
174Draw119–17–32 Sam McVeaNWS12May 2, 1916East Market St. Rink, Akron, Ohio, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
173Loss119–17–31 Harry WillsNWS8Apr 25, 1916Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
172Win119–16–31 Sam McVeaNWS10Apr 7, 1916Arena, Syracuse, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
171Win118–16–31 Jeff ClarkTKO5 Mar 31, 1916Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
170Win117–16–31 Dave MillsTKO2 Mar 23, 1916Arena, Syracuse, New York, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
169Loss116–16–31 Harry WillsNWS10Mar 7, 1916Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
168Win116–15–31 Cleve HawkinsNWS10Feb 28, 1916Long Acre A.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
167Win115–15–31 Sam McVeaNWS10Feb 17, 1916Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
166Win114–15–31 Harry WillsKO19 Feb 11, 1916Tommy Burns Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, USWon world colored heavyweight title claim
165Loss113–15–31 Harry WillsPTS20Jan 3, 1916Tulane A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, USFor world colored heavyweight title claim
164Loss113–14–31 Harry WillsNWS10Dec 3, 1915Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
163Draw113–13–31 Sam McVeaNWS10Nov 23, 1915American A.C., New York City, New York, US
162Win113–13–30 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS15Oct 18, 1915National A.C., Denver, Colorado, US
161Draw112–13–30 Sam McVeaPTS20Sep 30, 1915Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, US
160Win112–13–29 Jack ThompsonTKO1, 0:32Jul 16, 1915National A.C., Denver, Colorado, US
159Loss111–13–29 Sam McVeaPTS12Jun 29, 1915Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USFor a claim of the world colored heavyweight title
158Win111–12–29 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Jun 8, 1915Broadway S.C., New York City, New York, US
157NC110–12–29 Porky Dan FlynnNC8 Apr 19, 1915 Montreal Sporting Club, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Neither man appeared willing to really mix it
as they boxed with open gloves despite repeated warnings from referee Rooney
156Loss110–12–29 Joe JennettePTS12Apr 13, 1915Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USLost world colored heavyweight title
155Win110–11–29 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Apr 6, 1915135th Street A.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
154Win109–11–29 Harry WillsKO14 Nov 26, 1914Arena, Vernon, California, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
153Win108–11–29 Jim CameronTKO6 Nov 16, 1914Arctic Street Arena, San Diego, California, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
152Win107–11–29 Tom McMahonTKO6 Nov 10, 1914Arena, Vernon, California, US
151Loss106–11–29 Jeff ClarkNWS10Oct 26, 1914Joplin, Missouri, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
150Win106–10–29 Gunboat SmithKO3 Oct 20, 1914Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
149Win105–10–29 Colin BellTKO4 Oct 6, 1914Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
148Draw104–10–29 Joe JennetteNWS10Oct 1, 1914Stadium A.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
147Draw104–10–28 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS12Sep 15, 1914Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
146Win104–10–27 George 'Kid' CottonKO4 Aug 25, 1914Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
145Win103–10–27 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Aug 12, 1914Stadium A.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
144Win102–10–27 Bill WatkinsKO4 May 25, 1914Olympic A.C., Rochester, New York, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
143Draw101–10–27 Harry WillsNWS10May 1, 1914National Baseball Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
142Win101–10–26 Rough House WareTKO5 Apr 20, 1914Memphis, Tennessee, US
141Win100–10–26 George 'Kid' CottonPTS8Apr 15, 1914Chattanooga, Tennessee, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
140Win99–10–26 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Mar 27, 1914Empire A.C., New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
139Win98–10–26 Bill WatkinsTKO1 Mar 23, 1914National S.C., New York City, New York, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
138Win97–10–26 Matthew CurranKO1, 0:30Jan 24, 1914Luna Park Arena, Paris, France
137Win96–10–26 Joe JennettePTS20Dec 20, 1913Luna Park Arena, Paris, FranceWon vacant
136Loss95–10–26 Gunboat SmithPTS12Nov 17, 1913Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
135Win95–9–26 Jack LesterRTD5 Oct 27, 1913Taft, California, US
134Loss94–9–26 Joe JennetteNWS10Oct 3, 1913Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
133Win94–8–26 John Lester JohnsonKO1 Sep 9, 1913Atlantic Garden A.C., New York City, New York, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
132Win93–8–26 Porky Dan FlynnKO4 Aug 26, 1913Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
131Draw92–8–26 Colin BellPTS15Jun 19, 1913Gymnasium Ground, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
130Draw92–8–25 Sam McVeaPTS20Mar 24, 1913Olympic Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Retained world colored heavyweight title
129Win92–8–24 Jim BarryKO1 Mar 15, 1913Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
128Win91–8–24 Sam McVeaKO13 Dec 26, 1912 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Retained Australian and world colored heavyweight titles
127Win90–8–24 Sam McVeaTKO11 Oct 9, 1912Exhibition Stadium, Perth, Western Australia, Australia Retained Australian and world colored heavyweight titles;
McVea claimed he was fouled. The ref disagreed and McVea refused to continue
126Win89–8–24 Sam McVeaPTS20Aug 3, 1912 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Retained Australian and world colored heavyweight titles
125Win88–8–24 Porky Dan FlynnTKO14 May 27, 1912 Athletic Pavilion, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
124Win87–8–24 Jim BarryTKO11 May 13, 1912 Athletic Pavilion, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
123Win86–8–24 Sam McVeaPTS20Apr 8, 1912 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Won Australian and world colored heavyweight titles
122Win85–8–24 Jim BarryPTS20Feb 12, 1912 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
121Loss84–8–24 Sam McVeaPTS20Dec 26, 1911 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Lost world colored heavyweight title
120Win84–7–24 Tony CaponiTKO3 Nov 6, 1911Twentieth Century A.C., New York City, New York, US
119Win83–7–24 Joe JennetteNWS10Sep 5, 1911Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake
118Win82–7–24 Tony RossKO6 Aug 24, 1911National Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
117Win81–7–24 Philadelphia Jack O'BrienTKO5, 2:00Aug 15, 1911Twentieth Century A.C., New York City, New York, US
116Win80–7–24 Jim SmithTKO5 Aug 9, 1911Atlantic Garden A.C., New York City, New York, US
11579–7–24 Jack DriscollND10Jul 29, 1911Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
114Win79–7–24 Jack FitzgeraldTKO5 Jun 29, 1911National S.C., New York City, New York, US
113Win78–7–24 Tony CaponiNWS10Jun 16, 1911 Auditorium Rink, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
112Win77–7–24 Ralph CallowayTKO4 May 30, 1911Alhambra, Syracuse, New York, US
111Draw76–7–24 Sam McVeaPTS20Apr 1, 1911 Cirque de Paris, Paris, FranceRetained world colored heavyweight title
110Win76–7–23 Bill LangDQ6 Feb 21, 1911Olympia Annexe, Kensington, London, England
109Win75–7–23 Fred AtwaterTKO3 Jan 16, 1911State Armory, Utica, New York, US
108Win74–7–23 Joe JennettePTS12Jan 10, 1911Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
107Win73–7–23 Morris HarrisKO2 Dec 6, 1910Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
106Win72–7–23 Jeff ClarkTKO2 Nov 10, 1910Business Men's A.C., Joplin, Missouri, USRetained world colored heavyweight title
105Win71–7–23 Joe JennettePTS15Sep 6, 1910Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
Won world colored heavyweight title
104Win70–7–23 Al KubiakTKO2 May 17, 1910Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
103Win69–7–23 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS6May 14, 1910National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USWorld colored heavyweight title claim at stake
102Win68–7–23 Stanley KetchelNWS6Apr 27, 1910National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
101Win67–7–23 Jim BarryKO16 Apr 14, 1910Arena, Vernon, California, US
100Win66–7–23 Fireman Jim FlynnKO8 Mar 17, 1910Jeffries' Arena, Vernon, California, US
99Win65–7–23 Nat DeweyTKO1, 1:50Feb 22, 1910Turner Hall, Cheyenne, Wyoming, US
98Loss64–7–23 Fireman Jim FlynnNWS10Feb 8, 1910Naud Junction Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
97Win64–6–23 Dixie KidKO3 Jan 10, 1910Phoenix A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
96Win63–6–23 Mike SchreckTKO1 Nov 23, 1909Old City Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
95Win62–6–23 Klondike HaynesKO2, 1:35Nov 2, 1909Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
94Win61–6–23 Dixie KidRTD5 Sep 28, 1909Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained world colored heavyweight title claim
93Win60–6–23 Klondike HaynesNWS6Jul 13, 1909Bijou Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USClaimed vacant world colored heavyweight title
92Win59–6–23 William HagueKO4, 1:59May 24, 1909National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandWon inaugural NSC version of the world heavyweight title
91Draw58–6–23 Sandy FergusonPTS12Apr 27, 1909Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
90Win58–6–22 Al KubiakNWS6Apr 17, 1909National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
89Draw57–6–22 Jim BarryNWS10Apr 14, 1909Chadwick Park, Albany, US
88Win57–6–21 John WillieKO2 Apr 3, 1909National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
87Win56–6–21 Morris HarrisTKO7 Mar 29, 1909Marathon A.C., New York City, New York, US
86Win55–6–21 Jim BarryNWS6Mar 17, 1909Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
85Win54–6–21 Fireman Jim FlynnKO1, 2:14Dec 21, 1908Coliseum, San Francisco, California, US
84Draw53–6–21 Joe JennetteNWS6Sep 1, 1908National A.C., New York City, New York, US
83Win53–6–20 Tony RossTKO5 Aug 7, 1908Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
82Win52–6–20 John WillieKO2 Jul 21, 1908Navarre A.C., New York City, New York, US
81Win51–6–20 Jim BarryKO3 Jun 19, 1908Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
80Win50–6–20 Sandy FergusonPTS12May 19, 1908Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
79Win49–6–20 Jim BarryKO2 Apr 7, 1908Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
78Win48–6–20 Larry TemplePTS8Mar 11, 1908Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
77Draw47–6–20 Joe JennettePTS12Mar 3, 1908Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, US
76Win47–6–19 Black FitzsimmonsTKO4 Feb 10, 1908Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
75Draw46–6–19 Jim BarryNWS10Jan 14, 1908Pacific A.C., Los Angeles, California, US
74Win46–6–18 Jim BarryPTS10Dec 17, 1907Naud Junction Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
73Win45–6–18 Young Peter JacksonPTS20Nov 12, 1907Pacific A.C., Los Angeles, California, USWon vacant world colored middleweight title
72Win44–6–18 Jim BarryNWS10Oct 15, 1907Winnisimmet A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
71Win43–6–18 Jim BarryNWS6Sep 25, 1907Sharkey A.C., New York City, New York, US
70Win42–6–18 Larry TempleNWS10Aug 27, 1907Winnisimmet A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, USVacant world colored middleweight title at stake
69Win41–6–18 Geoff ThorneKO1 Jun 3, 1907 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
68Win40–6–18 Tiger SmithKO4, 0:57Apr 22, 1907National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandWon vacant NSC British and Commonwealth middleweight titles
67Win39–6–18 Kid WilliamsKO6 Jan 31, 1907Rochester, New York, US
66Draw38–6–18 Joe JennettePTS12Jan 11, 1907Unity Cycle Club, Lawrence, Massachusetts, US
65Win38–6–17 George GuntherTKO3 Nov 29, 1906Haverhill, Massachusetts, US
64Win37–6–17 Young Peter JacksonPTS15Nov 21, 1906Rochester, New York, US
63Win36–6–17 George GuntherPTS12Nov 12, 1906Valley Falls A.C., Valley Falls, Rhode Island, US
62Loss35–6–17 Young Peter JacksonTKO5 Jun 13, 1906Southbridge, Massachusetts, Massachusetts, US
61Loss35–5–17 Jack JohnsonPTS15Apr 26, 1906Lincoln A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, USFor world colored heavyweight title
60Win35–4–17 Joe JennettePTS15Apr 5, 1906Lincoln A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
59Win34–4–17 Black FitzsimmonsTKO11 Mar 19, 1906Lakeside A.C., Webster, Massachusetts, US
58Win33–4–17 Larry TempleKO15, 2:20Mar 1, 1906Lincoln A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
57Loss32–4–17 Joe JennetteTKO8 Dec 25, 1905Unity Cycle Club, Lawrence, Massachusetts, USLangford retired after round 8.
56NC32–3–17 Jack BlackburnNC1 Oct 7, 1905National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USIt was quickly evident that Langford and Blackburn
agreed to participate only if the fight was faked, so it was stopped.
55Draw32–3–17 Young Peter JacksonPTS15Sep 29, 1905Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US
54Draw32–3–16 Jack BlackburnPTS10Sep 20, 1905Lyric A.C., Allentown, Pennsylvania, US
53Draw32–3–15 Larry TemplePTS15Sep 7, 1905Highland A.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts, US
52Win32–3–14 Jack BlackburnPTS15Aug 18, 1905Leiperville, Pennsylvania, US
51Loss31–3–14 Larry TemplePTS15Jul 4, 1905Marlborough, Massachusetts, US
50Win31–2–14 Young Peter JacksonPTS15Jun 16, 1905Douglas A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
49Win30–2–14 Young Peter JacksonPTS15May 26, 1905Highland A.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts, US
48Win29–2–14 Bogardus HydeTKO3 May 16, 1905Music Hall, Webster, Massachusetts, US
47Win28–2–14 George GuntherPTS12Mar 13, 1905Auditorium, Portland, Maine, US
4627–2–14 George ColeNC9 Mar 3, 1905Chelsea, Massachusetts, USThe fight was called "no contest" because of a lack of action.
45Win27–2–14 Dave HollyNWS15Feb 13, 1905Apollo A.C., Salem, Massachusetts, US
44Win26–2–14 George GuntherTKO11 Jan 20, 1905Douglas A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
43Win25–2–14 Joe ReedKO5 Jan 16, 1905Music Hall, Webster, Massachusetts, US
42Win24–2–14 Joe ReedTKO9 Dec 22, 1904Paper City A.C., Berlin, New Hampshire, US
41Draw23–2–14 Jack BlackburnPTS15Dec 9, 1904Marlborough Theater, Marlborough, Massachusetts, US
40Win23–2–13 Tommy SullivanTKO3 Nov 25, 1904Highland A.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts, US
39Win22–2–13 Andy WatsonNWS12Nov 24, 1904Music Hall, Webster, Massachusetts, US
38Draw21–2–13 Dave HollyNWS6Nov 4, 1904Manhattan A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
37Draw21–2–12 Dave HollyPTS15Sep 30, 1904Eureka A.C., Baltimore, Maryland, US
36Draw21–2–11 Barbados Joe WalcottPTS15Sep 5, 1904Lake Massabesic Coliseum, Manchester, New Hampshire, USFor world welterweight title
35Win21–2–10 George 'Elbows' McFaddenTKO2 Jul 29, 1904Manchester, New Hampshire, US
34Loss20–2–10 Dave HollyPTS10Apr 11, 1904Cambridge A.A., Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
33Win20–1–10 Willie LewisKO2 Feb 22, 1904Warren A.C., New Bedford, Massachusetts, US
32Win19–1–10 Charles JohnsonTKO5 Feb 13, 1904Central A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
31Win18–1–10 Belfield WalcottNWS6Jan 27, 1904Central A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
30Draw17–1–10 Jack BlackburnNWS6Jan 11, 1904Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
29Draw17–1–9 Andy WatsonPTS12Jan 6, 1904North Street Rink, Salem, Massachusetts, US
28Draw17–1–8 Jack BlackburnPTS12Dec 23, 1903Central A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
27Win17–1–7 Joe GansPTS15Dec 8, 1903Criterion A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
26Win16–1–7 Joe ReedDQ4 Nov 28, 1903Central A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, USReed threw Langford and was disqualified.
25Win15–1–7 Patsy SweeneyKO12, 2:38Nov 20, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
24Win14–1–7 Arthur CoteTKO5 Oct 5, 1903American A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
23Win13–1–7 Shadow MorrisPTS12Sep 15, 1903Central A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
22Win12–1–7 Kid GriffoPTS12Aug 28, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
21Win11–1–7 Belfield WalcottPTS20Jul 16, 1903Saundersville Athletic Club, Scituate, Rhode Island, US
20Loss10–1–7 Danny DuanePTS12Jun 26, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
19Win10–0–7 Walter BurgoTKO8 Jun 19, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
18Draw9–0–7 Andy WatsonPTS12Jun 15, 1903Gloucester A.C., Gloucester, Massachusetts, US
17Win9–0–6 Tim KearnsTKO2 Jun 5, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, USKearns quit with an arm injury.
16Draw8–0–6 Andy WatsonPTS12May 29, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
15Win8–0–5 Chick MonahanKO1 May 26, 1903Criterion A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
14Win7–0–5 Billy JordanPTS6May 25, 1903Cambridge Athletic Club, Boston, Massachusetts, US
13Draw6–0–5 Andy WatsonPTS10May 8, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, USPre-arranged draw if lasting the distance
12ND6–0–4 Andy WatsonND12Apr 20, 1903West End A.C., Lawrence, Massachusetts, US
11Win6–0–4 Stonewall AllenPTS6Apr 16, 1903Essex A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
10Draw5–0–4 Stonewall AllenPTS6Apr 3, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
9Win5–0–3 John E. ButlerPTS6Mar 26, 1903Essex A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
8Draw4–0–3 Johnny JohnsonPTS6Mar 5, 1903Essex A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
7Win4–0–2 Sadler JenningsKO2 Mar 4, 1903Highland Athletic Club, Chelsea, Massachusetts, US
6Win3–0–2 Luther ManualPTS10Feb 27, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
5Draw2–0–2 Luther ManualPTS6Feb 6, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
4Draw2–0–1 Luther ManualPTS4Jan 23, 1903Essex A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
32–0 Billy ChisholmND6Jan 22, 1903Lawrence, Massachusetts, US
2Win2–0Arthur PrattKO1 Jan 15, 1903Essex A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
1Win1–0Jack McVickerKO5 Apr 11, 1902Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US