Chasing Champions - by Jacob Sampson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In boxing terms, it's a knockout.--Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen

Sam Langford was a fighter his whole life--inside and outside of the ring. Born in the small town of Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest boxers of all time to never hold a world title--not by a lack of drive or talent but from the harsh realities of systemic racism and the notorious color line that segregated Black athletes during the early twentieth century. Denied the opportunities he deserved, Sam's incredible true story is defined by a relentless pursuit of glory, justice, and survival--often at great personal cost, not just to himself but to those who loved him.

From the roaring crowds of fight nights to the quiet reckonings of his twilight years, Chasing Champions: The Sam Langford Story is a gripping biographical drama that reveals the man behind the legend, reclaiming his rightful place in history. More than a story about boxing, it's a celebration of resilience, humanity, and the unbreakable bonds that endure through sacrifice and redemption.

Review Quotes

Jacob Sampson's work will draw you into a deeply and beautifully-spun story which never feels cliché or overdone...It is a hard-hitting show that stays with you after it's done.
--Carey Bray, Halifax Bloggers

About the Author

Jacob Sampson (he/him) is a graduate of the Acadia University Theatre Studies program, an award-winning actor and playwright, and a descendant of the historic Black Nova Scotian community of Beechville. His first play, Chasing Champions, produced by Ships Company, won six Robert Merritt Awards, including Outstanding New Play by a Nova Scotian. Jacob is a two-time winner of the Robert Merritt Award's Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role. Most recently he wrote the play Umoja Corp for Obsidian Theatre's 21 Black Futures, which premiered on CBC Gem in spring of 2021.