Sam McVey explained

Sam McVey
Realname:Samuel E. MacVea
Nickname:The Black Bison
Height:5feet
Reach:750NaN0
Weight:Heavyweight
Birth Date:May 17, 1884
Birth Place:Waelder, Texas, US
Death Place:New York City, US
Style:Orthodox
Total:112 (including newspaper decisions)
Wins:78
Ko:60
Losses:18
Draws:13
No Contests:3

Sam McVey or Sam McVea (May 17, 1884 – December 23, 1921) was a Hall of Fame heavyweight boxer who fought during the early 20th century. Known as the Oxnard Cyclone,[1] he ranked alongside Jack Johnson, Joe Jeanette, Sam Langford, and Harry Wills as the top black heavyweights of their generation. All of them, except Johnson, were denied a shot at the world heavyweight championship due to the color bar, which ironically was maintained by Johnson when he became the first black fighter to win the world heavyweight title. Despite being denied a title shot, McVea enjoyed a famed career that took him across the globe.

In 96 documented fights in at least 10 different countries, McVey only lost 16 bouts.[2] His greatest wins include two victories over both Sam Langford and Harry Wills, which won him the World Colored Heavyweight Championship on two occasions, respectively. In his later, years he worked as a trainer and sparring partner for both black and white fighters training for important bouts.

Biography

Fighting out of Oxnard, California, McVey stood 5′10½″ inches tall and fought at a weight of between 205 and 220 lbs. He relied more on brute strength than finesse in the ring.[3] His first pro fight listed on boxrec took place in 1902 at the age of 18,[2] but a newspaper from 1902, on his then-upcoming fight with Jack Fogarty, lists five earlier fights he won in Australia, and a further two that took place in California.[4] However In those days, few mixed-race fights took place, so McVey frequently fought the other top black boxers of his time, including Sam Langford (15 times), Joe Jeanette (5 times), Harry Wills (5 times), and Jack Johnson (3 times). Overall, McVey's boxing record was 65 wins, 16 losses, and 12 draws.[2]

McVey spent much of his prime years fighting overseas. He left for Paris in 1907 and fought there for four years. McVey left Paris in 1911 for Australia. He fought there for three more years before finally returning to the U.S.

On December 31, 1908 in Paris, Sam McVey competed in a mixed style bout against jujutsu expert Tano Matsuda, knocking him out in ten seconds.[5] In the earlier part of this century, such bouts were occasionally held in Japan pitting western boxers against judo or jujutsu fighters.

On April 17, 1909, in Paris, Sam McVey fought Joe Jeanette in a bout considered one of the greatest and certainly one of the longest of the 20th century. The fight went 50 rounds and lasted three and a half hours. McVey was generally agreed to be winning through most of the fight, particularly the 21st and 22nd round, knocking Jeanette down repeatedly. By the 40th round, however, Jeanette had recovered while McVey was lagging and knocked down repeatedly. Ultimately McVey's eyes had swollen shut and he was forced to quit.[6]

In 1912, McVey was one of the contenders for the World Colored Heavyweight Championship fought at various venues across Australia. Sam Langford his opponent, was a Black Canadian popularly known as the Boston Tar Baby and reputedly one of the greatest fighters of all time, beating champions in the lightweight to heavyweight classes. Before the matches, the boxers gave demonstrations of their skill. Before his beating, Sam McVea in the Exhibition Rink Buildings in Perth, Sam Langford stayed at the Nedlands Park Hotel where he:

gave exhibitions of punching the ball, throwing the medicine bag sparring, etc. His work was a revelation. Langford allowed his sparring partners to hit him just when and where they pleased. After witnessing his exhibition of wonderful foot and head work one could easily understand how the big-little fellow came to lay low the best boxers in the world. Langford is as fast on his feet and as graceful as a ballet-dancer. He carries a punch like unto that of a kick of a mule, and is practically impervious to punishment. Dick Cullen hit him some terrific punches on the chin last Wednesday - punches that would have put the ordinary boxer away for the full count; but the Tar Baby only grinned and shoved out his head for more. He is truly a remarkable fighter.[7]

McVey contracted pneumonia and died December 23, 1921, in New York City, penniless while still an active fighter. His burial was paid for by Jack Johnson. His headstone was paid by Ben Hawes. A special ceremony was conducted by Daryl George at Mt. Olivet cemetery in Queens, NY. [Citation - Ben Hawes - I paid for it, organized it and had his resting place blessed. ==Legacy & honors== In 2020 award-winning author Mark Allen Baker published the first comprehensive account of The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937, with McFarland & Company, a leading independent publisher of academic & nonfiction books. This history traces the advent and demise of the Championship, the stories of the talented professional athletes who won it, and the demarcation of the color line both in and out of the ring. For decades the World Colored Heavyweight Championship was a useful tool to combat racial oppression-the existence of the title a leverage mechanism, or tool, used as a technique to counter a social element, “drawing the color line.” McVey was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/mcvey.html|title=Sam McVey|publisher=International Boxing Hall of Fame|access-date=2010-11-07}}</ref> ==Professional boxing record== All information in this section is derived from [[BoxRec]],[8] unless otherwise stated.

Official record

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted to the win/loss/draw column.

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
112Draw74–14–10 Jeff ClarkNWS10Aug 1, 1921
111Win74–14–10 Jeff ClarkNWS10Jul 7, 1921
110Win74–14–10 Jeff ClarkPTS12Mar 21, 1921
109NC73–14–10 Jack ThompsonNC6 (10)Mar 18, 1921
108NC73–14–10 Harry WillsNC6 (8)Sep 8, 1920
107Win73–14–10 Jack WardKO2 (10)Sep 1, 1920
106Loss72–14–10 Sam LangfordNWS10Aug 14, 1920
105Loss72–14–10 Pinky LewisPTS10Aug 5, 1920
104Win72–13–10 Clem JohnsonKO4 (15)Dec 15, 1918
103Draw71–13–10 Jack LivingstonePTS10Sep 14, 1918
102Loss71–13–9 Harry WillsPTS20Jun 16, 1918
101Loss71–12–9 Harry WillsKO5 (20)Feb 17, 1918
100Win71–11–9 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS25Oct 14, 1917
99Win70–11–9 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS20Aug 12, 1917
98Win69–11–9 Jeff ClarkTKO15 (20)Jul 15, 1917
97Win68–11–9 Jeff ClarkPTS20May 13, 1917
96Win67–11–9 Jim BarryTKO7 (20)Mar 11, 1917
95Win66–11–9 Jim BriggsKO2 (10)Jan 27, 1917
94Win65–11–9 Fitz BrathwaiteKO1 (10)Jan 27, 1917
93Win64–11–9 Jack LivingstoneKO5 (15)Jan 14, 1917
92Win63–11–9 Bob DeverePTS10Sep 20, 1916
91Draw62–11–9 Bob DeverePTS20Sep 3, 1916
90Draw62–11–8 Sam LangfordPTS20Aug 12, 1916
89Draw62–11–7 Sam LangfordNWS12May 2, 1916
88Loss62–11–7 Jack ThompsonPTS8Apr 14, 1916
87Loss62–10–7 Sam LangfordNWS10Apr 7, 1916
86Loss62–10–7 Sam LangfordNWS10Feb 17, 1916
85Draw62–10–7 Sam LangfordNWS10Oct 23, 1915
84Win62–10–7 Jeff ClarkPTS10Oct 15, 1915
83Draw61–10–7 Sam LangfordPTS20Sep 30, 1915
82Loss61–10–6 Harry WillsPTS12Sep 7, 1915
81Win61–9–6 Sam LangfordKO8 (12)Aug 10, 1915
80Win60–9–6 Sam LangfordPTS12Jun 29, 1915
79Win59–9–6 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Jun 9, 1915
78Win59–9–6 Harry WillsNWS10May 19, 1915
77Draw59–9–6 Joe JennettePTS12Apr 27, 1915
76Win59–9–5 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS20Feb 20, 1915
75Win58–9–5 Harry WillsPTS20Dec 20, 1914
74Win57–9–5 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Dec 10, 1914
73Win57–9–5 Arthur PelkeyKO4 (20)Jun 13, 1914
72Win56–9–5 Colin BellKO2 (20)Dec 27, 1913
71Win55–9–5 Professor StevensonKO5 (10)Nov 6, 1913
70Win54–9–5 Colin BellTKO16 (20)Apr 19, 1913
69Draw53–9–5 Sam LangfordPTS20Mar 24, 1913
68Loss53–9–4 Sam LangfordKO13 (20)Dec 26, 1912
67Loss53–8–4 Sam LangfordTKO11 (20)Oct 9, 1912
66Loss53–7–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Aug 3, 1912
65Loss53–6–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Apr 8, 1912
64Win53–5–4 Jim BarryPTS20Mar 16, 1912
63Win52–5–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Dec 26, 1911
62Win51–5–4 Jack LesterTKO8 (20)Dec 11, 1911
61Win50–5–4 Bill LangKO2 (20)Oct 28, 1911
60Win49–5–4 Jack LesterPTS20Sep 30, 1911
59Win48–5–4 Alf LangfordKO9 (15)Aug 3, 1911
58Win47–5–4 George RodelKO1 (20)Jul 20, 1911
57Win46–5–4 Andrew DixonKO4 (20)May 25, 1911
56Draw45–5–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Apr 1, 1911
55Win45–5–3 Charley HarrisKO3 (?)Feb 25, 1911
54Win44–5–3 Seaman Fred ParsonsKO1 (15)Jan 14, 1911
53Win43–5–3 Battling Jim JohnsonKO21 (25)Nov 19, 1910
52Win42–5–3 Sergeant SunshineKO1 (?)Oct 22, 1910
51Win41–5–3 Peter RiceTKO3 (?)Oct 17, 1910
50Draw40–5–3 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS15Aug 7, 1910
49Win40–5–2 Peter RiceKO4 (?)Jul 22, 1910
48Win39–5–2 Joe GrimTKO13 (20)Jun 25, 1910
47Win38–5–2 Jim StewartTKO6 (25)Apr 16, 1910
46Win37–5–2 Arthur BennettKO4 (25)Apr 13, 1910
45Win36–5–2 Herbert SinnottKO5Mar 25, 1910
44Win35–5–2 Al KubiakKO10 (20)Feb 26, 1910
43Win34–5–2 Fred DrummondKO5 (?)Jan 27, 1910
42Draw33–5–2 Joe JennettePTS30Dec 11, 1909
41Win33–5–1 Fred DrummondKO7 (20)Jul 4, 1909
40Win32–5–1 Jim BarryDQ15 (20)Jun 26, 1909
39Win31–5–1 Bill HarrisKO5May 30, 1909
38Win30–5–1 Fred DrummondKO5 (20)Apr 24, 1909
37Loss29–5–1 Joe JennetteRTD49 (?)Apr 17, 1909
36Win29–4–1 'Cyclone' Billy WarrenKO2 (?)Apr 9, 1909
35Win28–4–1 Joe JennettePTS20Feb 20, 1909
34Win27–4–1 Herbert SinnottKO5 (15)Feb 5, 1909
33Win26–4–1 Bill RickardKO1 (?), Jan 23, 1909
32Draw25–4–1 Fred DrummondPTS?Dec 18, 1908
3125–4 Fred DrummondNC? (?)Dec 17, 1908
30Win25–4 CamerlingsTKO1 (?)Nov 18, 1908
29Win24–4 Herbert SinnottKO5 (20)Nov 14, 1908
28Win23–4 GuionnetTKO3 (?)Oct 14, 1908
27Win22–4 Harry ShearingKO1 (?)Sep 19, 1908
26Win21–4 Fred DrummondKO4 (15)Jul 18, 1908
25Win20–4 Charlie WilsonKO3 (20)Jul 12, 1908
24Win19–4 Georges RampazziKO3 (?)Jul 1, 1908
23Win18–4 Jewey SmithKO3 (20)May 23, 1908
22Win17–4 Ben TaylorKO11 (15)Apr 15, 1908
21Win16–4 Harry ShearingTKO5 (?)Feb 15, 1908
20Win15–4 Jack ScalesKO2 (15)Dec 28, 1907
19Win14–4 Marc GaucherKO4 (?)Oct 24, 1907
18Win13–4 Ben TaylorKO3 (10)Jun 3, 1907
17Loss12–4 Joe JennetteNWS10Apr 15, 1907
16Win12–4Denver Ed MartinKO16 (20)Feb 28, 1907
15Win11–4Sailor Matt TurnerKO2 (20), Nov 29, 1906
14Win10–4Tornado SmithKO1 (?)Feb 24, 1906
13Win9–4Denver Ed MartinKO4 (20)Jan 25, 1906
12Loss8–4Denver Ed MartinPTS10Aug 12, 1904
11Loss8–3Jack JohnsonKO20 (20)Apr 22, 1904
10Loss8–2Jack JohnsonPTS20Oct 27, 1903
9Win8–1Denver Ed MartinKO1 (20), Sep 15, 1903
8Win7–1Kid CarterKO11 (20)May 5, 1903
7Loss6–1Jack JohnsonPTS20Feb 26, 1903
6Win6–0Jack Kid LavalleKO1 (10), Jan 31, 1903
5Win5–0Jim 'Toothpick' KellyKO4 (?)Jan 6, 1903
4Win4–0Fred RussellKO5 (20)Nov 1, 1902
3Win3–0Jack FogartyKO5 (?)Oct 9, 1902
2Win2–0Herb McKellKO3 (?)Jun 19, 1902
1Win1–0George SullivanKO6 (20)Apr 12, 1902

Unofficial record

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions to the win/loss/draw column.

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
112Draw78–18–13 Jeff ClarkNWS10Aug 1, 1921
111Win78–18–12 Jeff ClarkNWS10Jul 7, 1921
110Win77–18–12 Jeff ClarkPTS12Mar 21, 1921
109NC76–18–12 Jack ThompsonNC6 (10)Mar 18, 1921
108NC76–18–12 Harry WillsNC6 (8)Sep 8, 1920
107Win76–18–12 Jack WardKO2 (10)Sep 1, 1920
106Loss75–18–12 Sam LangfordNWS10Aug 14, 1920
105Loss75–17–12 Pinky LewisPTS10Aug 5, 1920
104Win75–16–12 Clem JohnsonKO4 (15)Dec 15, 1918
103Draw74–16–12 Jack LivingstonePTS10Sep 14, 1918
102Loss74–16–11 Harry WillsPTS20Jun 16, 1918
101Loss74–15–11 Harry WillsKO5 (20)Feb 17, 1918
100Win74–14–11 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS25Oct 14, 1917
99Win73–14–11 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS20Aug 12, 1917
98Win72–14–11 Jeff ClarkTKO15 (20)Jul 15, 1917
97Win71–14–11 Jeff ClarkPTS20May 13, 1917
96Win70–14–11 Jim BarryTKO7 (20)Mar 11, 1917
95Win69–14–11 Jim BriggsKO2 (10)Jan 27, 1917
94Win68–14–11 Fitz BrathwaiteKO1 (10)Jan 27, 1917
93Win67–14–11 Jack LivingstoneKO5 (15)Jan 14, 1917
92Win66–14–11 Bob DeverePTS10Sep 20, 1916
91Draw65–14–11 Bob DeverePTS20Sep 3, 1916
90Draw65–14–10 Sam LangfordPTS20Aug 12, 1916
89Draw65–14–9 Sam LangfordNWS12May 2, 1916
88Loss65–14–8 Jack ThompsonPTS8Apr 14, 1916
87Loss65–13–8 Sam LangfordNWS10Apr 7, 1916
86Loss65–12–8 Sam LangfordNWS10Feb 17, 1916
85Draw65–11–8 Sam LangfordNWS10Oct 23, 1915
84Win65–11–7 Jeff ClarkPTS10Oct 15, 1915
83Draw64–11–7 Sam LangfordPTS20Sep 30, 1915
82Loss64–11–6 Harry WillsPTS12Sep 7, 1915
81Win64–10–6 Sam LangfordKO8 (12)Aug 10, 1915
80Win63–10–6 Sam LangfordPTS12Jun 29, 1915
79Win62–10–6 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Jun 9, 1915
78Win61–10–6 Harry WillsNWS10May 19, 1915
77Draw60–10–6 Joe JennettePTS12Apr 27, 1915
76Win60–10–5 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS20Feb 20, 1915
75Win59–10–5 Harry WillsPTS20Dec 20, 1914
74Win58–10–5 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Dec 10, 1914
73Win57–10–5 Arthur PelkeyKO4 (20)Jun 13, 1914
72Win56–10–5 Colin BellKO2 (20)Dec 27, 1913
71Win55–10–5 Professor StevensonKO5 (10)Nov 6, 1913
70Win54–10–5 Colin BellTKO16 (20)Apr 19, 1913
69Draw53–10–5 Sam LangfordPTS20Mar 24, 1913
68Loss53–10–4 Sam LangfordKO13 (20)Dec 26, 1912
67Loss53–9–4 Sam LangfordTKO11 (20)Oct 9, 1912
66Loss53–8–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Aug 3, 1912
65Loss53–7–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Apr 8, 1912
64Win53–6–4 Jim BarryPTS20Mar 16, 1912
63Win52–6–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Dec 26, 1911
62Win51–6–4 Jack LesterTKO8 (20)Dec 11, 1911
61Win50–6–4 Bill LangKO2 (20)Oct 28, 1911
60Win49–6–4 Jack LesterPTS20Sep 30, 1911
59Win48–6–4 Alf LangfordKO9 (15)Aug 3, 1911
58Win47–6–4 George RodelKO1 (20)Jul 20, 1911
57Win46–6–4 Andrew DixonKO4 (20)May 25, 1911
56Draw45–6–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Apr 1, 1911
55Win45–6–3 Charley HarrisKO3 (?)Feb 25, 1911
54Win44–6–3 Seaman Fred ParsonsKO1 (15)Jan 14, 1911
53Win43–6–3 Battling Jim JohnsonKO21 (25)Nov 19, 1910
52Win42–6–3 Sergeant SunshineKO1 (?)Oct 22, 1910
51Win41–6–3 Peter RiceTKO3 (?)Oct 17, 1910
50Draw40–6–3 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS15Aug 7, 1910
49Win40–6–2 Peter RiceKO4 (?)Jul 22, 1910
48Win39–6–2 Joe GrimTKO13 (20)Jun 25, 1910
47Win38–6–2 Jim StewartTKO6 (25)Apr 16, 1910
46Win37–6–2 Arthur BennettKO4 (25)Apr 13, 1910
45Win36–6–2 Herbert SinnottKO5Mar 25, 1910
44Win35–6–2 Al KubiakKO10 (20)Feb 26, 1910
43Win34–6–2 Fred DrummondKO5 (?)Jan 27, 1910
42Draw33–6–2 Joe JennettePTS30Dec 11, 1909
41Win33–6–1 Fred DrummondKO7 (20)Jul 4, 1909
40Win32–6–1 Jim BarryDQ15 (20)Jun 26, 1909
39Win31–6–1 Bill HarrisKO5May 30, 1909
38Win30–6–1 Fred DrummondKO5 (20)Apr 24, 1909
37Loss29–6–1 Joe JennetteRTD49 (?)Apr 17, 1909
36Win29–5–1 'Cyclone' Billy WarrenKO2 (?)Apr 9, 1909
35Win28–5–1 Joe JennettePTS20Feb 20, 1909
34Win27–5–1 Herbert SinnottKO5 (15)Feb 5, 1909
33Win26–5–1 Bill RickardKO1 (?), Jan 23, 1909
32Draw25–5–1 Fred DrummondPTS?Dec 18, 1908
3125–5 Fred DrummondNC? (?)Dec 17, 1908
30Win25–5CamerlingsTKO1 (?)Nov 18, 1908
29Win24–5Herbert SinnottKO5 (20)Nov 14, 1908
28Win23–5GuionnetTKO3 (?)Oct 14, 1908
27Win22–5Harry ShearingKO1 (?)Sep 19, 1908
26Win21–5Fred DrummondKO4 (15)Jul 18, 1908
25Win20–5Charlie WilsonKO3 (20)Jul 12, 1908
24Win19–5Georges RampazziKO3 (?)Jul 1, 1908
23Win18–5Jewey SmithKO3 (20)May 23, 1908
22Win17–5Ben TaylorKO11 (15)Apr 15, 1908
21Win16–5Harry ShearingTKO5 (?)Feb 15, 1908
20Win15–5Jack ScalesKO2 (15)Dec 28, 1907
19Win14–5Marc GaucherKO4 (?)Oct 24, 1907
18Win13–5Ben TaylorKO3 (10)Jun 3, 1907
17Loss12–5Joe JennetteNWS10Apr 15, 1907
16Win12–4Denver Ed MartinKO16 (20)Feb 28, 1907
15Win11–4Sailor Matt TurnerKO2 (20), Nov 29, 1906
14Win10–4Tornado SmithKO1 (?)Feb 24, 1906
13Win9–4Denver Ed MartinKO4 (20)Jan 25, 1906
12Loss8–4Denver Ed MartinPTS10Aug 12, 1904
11Loss8–3Jack JohnsonKO20 (20)Apr 22, 1904
10Loss8–2Jack JohnsonPTS20Oct 27, 1903
9Win8–1Denver Ed MartinKO1 (20), Sep 15, 1903
8Win7–1Kid CarterKO11 (20)May 5, 1903
7Loss6–1Jack JohnsonPTS20Feb 26, 1903
6Win6–0Jack Kid LavalleKO1 (10), Jan 31, 1903
5Win5–0Jim 'Toothpick' KellyKO4 (?)Jan 6, 1903
4Win4–0Fred RussellKO5 (20)Nov 1, 1902
3Win3–0Jack FogartyKO5 (?)Oct 9, 1902
2Win2–0Herb McKellKO3 (?)Jun 19, 1902
1Win1–0George SullivanKO6 (20)Apr 12, 1902

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sam McVey . 11 September 2023 .
  2. Web site: Sam McVey – Boxer. BoxRec.com. 2010-11-23.
  3. Web site: Sam McVea (Samuel E. MacVea) (Samuel E. McVey). Cyber Boxing Zone. 20 May 2012.
  4. "Oxnard's Coming Mill" Los Angeles Herald 6 October 1902, page 4
  5. Book: Hewitt, Mark . Catch wrestling: a wild and wooly look at the early days of pro wrestling in America . Paladin Press . 2005.
  6. News: The New York Times . Jeanette Beats McVey . 18 April 1909 .
  7. The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Thursday 3 October 1912 pg 4.
  8. Web site: BoxRec: Sam McVea .