Sam McVey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sam McVey |
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Passport photo of McVey from 1919
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| Statistics | |
| Real name | Samuel E. MacVea |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Born | May 17, 1884 Waelder, Texas, US |
| Died | December 23, 1921 (aged 37) New York City, US |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 112 |
| Wins | 78 |
| Wins by KO | 60 |
| Losses | 18 |
| Draws | 13 |
| No contests | 3 |
Sam McVey (also known as Sam McVea) was a famous Heavyweight boxer from the early 1900s. He was born on May 17, 1884, and passed away on December 23, 1921. Sam McVey is so important in boxing history that he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
McVey was one of the best black heavyweight boxers of his time. Other top fighters included Jack Johnson, Joe Jeanette, Sam Langford, and Harry Wills. Sadly, most black fighters, including McVey, were not allowed to compete for the main world heavyweight championship. This was because of something called the "color bar," which was a rule that kept black and white athletes separated. Even though he couldn't fight for the biggest title, Sam McVey had an amazing career and traveled all over the world.
He fought in at least 10 different countries and had 96 recorded fights, losing only 16 of them. Some of his biggest wins were against Sam Langford and Harry Wills. He even won the World Colored Heavyweight Championship twice! Later in his life, he helped train other boxers, both black and white, for their important matches.
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Sam McVey's Boxing Journey
Sam McVey was from Oxnard, California. He was about 5 feet 10.5 inches tall and weighed between 205 and 220 pounds. In the boxing ring, he was known for his raw power rather than fancy moves. His first professional fight listed was in 1902 when he was 18. However, old newspapers suggest he had already won five fights in Australia and two in California before that.
Back then, it was rare for black and white boxers to fight each other. So, McVey often faced the same top black boxers of his era. He fought Sam Langford 15 times, Joe Jeanette 5 times, Harry Wills 5 times, and Jack Johnson 3 times. Overall, his boxing record showed 65 wins, 16 losses, and 12 draws.
Fighting Around the World
McVey spent many of his best years fighting outside the United States. In 1907, he moved to Paris, France, and boxed there for four years. Then, in 1911, he went to Australia and fought there for three more years before coming back to the U.S.
On December 31, 1908, in Paris, Sam McVey had a special fight against a jujutsu expert named Tano Matsuda. McVey knocked him out in just ten seconds! These kinds of mixed-style fights were sometimes held in Japan during that time, pitting boxers against martial artists.
A Very Long Fight
One of McVey's most famous fights happened on April 17, 1909, in Paris, against Joe Jeanette. This fight was incredibly long, lasting 50 rounds and taking three and a half hours! For most of the fight, McVey seemed to be winning, especially in rounds 21 and 22, where he knocked Jeanette down many times. But by the 40th round, Jeanette had recovered, and McVey was getting tired. McVey was knocked down repeatedly, and eventually, his eyes swelled shut, forcing him to stop the fight.
Battles for the Colored Heavyweight Title
In 1912, McVey was one of the boxers competing for the World Colored Heavyweight Championship in Australia. His opponent, Sam Langford, was a Black Canadian boxer known as the "Boston Tar Baby." Many people believed Langford was one of the greatest fighters ever, winning against champions in many different weight classes.
Before their matches, boxers would often show off their skills. Before one of his fights with McVey in Perth, Sam Langford gave a demonstration. People were amazed by his speed and grace, saying he was "as fast on his feet and as graceful as a ballet-dancer." They also noted his powerful punch, like "the kick of a mule," and how tough he was, barely reacting to hard hits.
Sam McVey's Legacy
Sam McVey became sick with pneumonia and passed away on December 23, 1921, in New York City. He was still an active boxer but had no money. His friend and fellow boxer, Jack Johnson, paid for his burial and grave marker.
In 2020, a book called "The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937" was published by Mark Allen Baker. This book tells the full story of this championship and the talented black athletes who fought for it. It also explains how this title helped black boxers deal with unfair racial rules in and out of the boxing ring.
Sam McVey's amazing career and contributions to boxing were recognized when he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999.
Images for kids
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Passport photo of McVey from 1919
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McVey (left) posing with fellow boxer Al Reich
