A second chance. Another opportunity to prove one’s potential. That’s what 6'3" heavyweight Jevon Langford has in front of him. A former defensive end with the Cincinnati Bengals who lost focus a decade ago, Langford is determined to make it in the sport of boxing. The drinking, the partying, the excess, partly the result of living in Las Vegas, that’s all a part of his past.

The future is now. Training under the guidance of Peter Manfredo, Sr in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Langford must look good this Friday when he takes on Tobias Rice at Foxwoods Resort Casino. He’s got to. He’s not exactly a young tiger anymore at 37. Manfredo and promoter Jimmy Burchfield have faith in the man, but their man must yield results, must show that he’s investing as much time in himself as they are to better him and benefit him.

Manfredo believes Langford, who claims to be the great-grandson of Hall of Fame boxer Sam Langford, is “one-hundred percent now.” A decade ago, he turned pro while in the final season of his six-season NFL career (in which he only amassed 3.5 sacks and 1 interception). Langford would go 6 and zero with 6 knockouts between 2001 and 2003. That’s where his career ended. Undefeated, but unproven and untested. Now he’s back.
“Before he had a lot of money,” said Manfredo. “$750,000 a year. Now he’s got nothing. He’s fighting for himself and his family right now.”

Langford blew his money out in Vegas, with friends that had no problem aiding and abetting him. In addition to his finances, he also lost a wife in a divorce, as well as custody of their two kids.
“I was on the verge of homelessness,” said Langford.

Fortunately, he would meet a woman who didn’t mind that he had nothing.  “She helped me out and gave me a place to stay,” Langford said. That woman, Jayna, would become his wife in 2008, and later, the mother of his youngest child, who will turn 2 in July.

Langford promises he’s not once again flirting with the sport of boxing. Rather, it’s the vehicle to provide a better life for he and his family. The evidence so far proves he’s not lying. After attending a fight card at Foxwoods a month ago put on by his promoter, he was at the post-fight after party eating nothing but a salad while others around him chowed down on pizza and other fattening fare. There wasn’t much more than lettuce on Langford’s plate. “I’m 280 now,” said Langford at the time. That’s about 13 pounds less than what he was weighing in the NFL.

His goal is to be a 270-pound heavyweight. Manfredo said that’s about as low as Langford can go. “I believe in him right now,” he added. “Time is money and I’m giving him a lot of time because eventually I believe it’ll all come back.”

Manfredo said Langford is different from other NFLers that thought they could don the gloves. “Most football players can’t fight,” he said. “But he boxed with me before. Four times in Rhode Island and at Foxwoods. He’s quick. He’s strong. He’s big, and he’s pretty dedicated right now.”

While Langford may be 37, Manfredo is quick to point out, “He’s never been beat up.” And with the heavyweight division as weak as it is, except for a couple of title-holding brothers from the Ukraine, Langford just might have a chance to shine brighter in boxing than he did in the NFL.

 

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