Langdord vs. Sharkey Fight ?

Question

Back in the days when fighters fought 25 + round fights with broken ribs......2 of the Greatest Heavyweights who never became Heavyweight Champion were Sam Langford & " Sailor " Tom Sharkey-- They both share a common denominator of sorts in that Sharkey lost 2 fights to Jefferies & Langford used to post newspaper ads offering to fight any man in the world except Jefferies.---- Despite the fact that they both often fought at a large height and/or weight disadvantage, they both were big punchers---If these 2 hard-punching greats had fought each other in their prime in a 25 round fight .....Who would win ?.....How would they win ?

Answer 1

Sam would win by a decision over 25 rounds. Sharkey fought rounds 17 to 25 against Jeffries with broken ribs (with one rib protruding through the skin), so I don't think Sam would knock him out, especially as Sam was shorter and would rely more heavily on body shots than head shots. But although Tom was really tough Sam was much more experienced and a much better boxer and would have outpointed Tom. Sam didn't say he'd fight any man except Jeffrries and Tom Sharkey!

Answer 2

Sam Langford was a great fighter.  He stood only 5'8" tall and fought from 139-204 lbs during his great career.  He was denied a chance at the heavyweight championship because of racial discrimination.  He had great punching power, agility intelligence and courage.  He had wins over such fighters as Joe Jeanette, Harry Wills, Sam McVey, and lost a decision to the great Jack Johnson before Johnson became the champ.  Strangely, Johnson never gave him a chance at the title.

Sailor Tom Sharkey was arguably one of the toughest men to ever step in a boxing ring.  He stood 5'8 1/2" tall and weighed from 172-186 lbs.  He is famous for his tough fight with champion Jeffries and by many accounts, many think Sharkey won the fight even though he suffered from two broken ribs from Jeffries.  He beat Choynski, Fitzsimmons, and Corbett in his career.

This fight would be a grueling and hard fought fight.  Langford had the advantage in handspeed, and boxing ability.  Sharkey could endure more punishment than just about anyone that ever fought and could fight.  This would be a relatively close bout with both men showing the signs of a tough battle at the end.  Langford by unanimous decision.