I first heard about McCarty a few days ago in a book i read. He had some decent wins on his record including the likes of Jim Flynn and seemed to be closing in on a title shot with Johnson before he died, from what ive read on him. Does anybody have any more information on this young heavyweight whos life was tragically cut short at the age of 21?
I think you grasped the essence of him rather well.I don't know any more than you ,except that there is no H in his last name.:good McCarty v Al Palzer This content is protected
He was seen as the best of the Great White Hopes, all of his wins were KO's, the only fight he lost of course, was against Arthur Pelkey. Big hitter, decent overall skills. Probably not enough to beat Johnson on Johnson's best day but would have given the older, out-of-shape version all he could handle.
Supposedly got thrown from a horse a few days before the fight which set the stage for his brain injury.
Seamus is correct the injury was from being thrown from a horse, Pelkey was exonerated of blame. McCarty had a good chin.
Its a shame the man never manged to fulfill his potential. he probaby wouldnt have beaten Johnson, but it would have been good if he had just been able to fight him. In modern rules he would never have been allowed to fight after an inujury like that, its a pity they were so lax about safety back then
Generally felt to have lost his ND affair to Willard and also outboxed by Jeff Clarke when very green. a pre-Ike Ike?
In some ways he is the Ike Ibeabuchi of that era. He was verry arguably the best of the white hopes when he died, but while most of the others were at or close to their peaks, he was 21 and still had a lot of room to get better. Some sources suggest that he was already in negotiations with Johnson when he died. Ironicaly his death might have eliminated the two best white hopes. Pelkey was also shaping up verry well coming into the fight, but after McCarthy's death he blamed himself and went into the tank.
He looked the part. This content is protected At around 6'3-6'4 and 200+ lbs while only 21 years of age, he would have been one to watch for the future for sure. Would have made a good fight with Fred Fulton.
A great what if ... he kid was only 21 and had a whole future in front of him .. he had years to mature and improve and the feeling at the time was he had the most potential out there ... shame ..
Very big heavyweight for his era, and he must of had a lot talent if he could beat the likes of Jim Flynn at such a young age. It would be great if there was some footage of him around, but unfortunately theres none.
