There was some interest in this fight and a purse of $ 10 000 was offered up. How would it have gone?
On a side note, McVey was in Jack Johnson's corner when Willard KO'd Johnson. McVey said he would fight Willard for free. I used to think this would be McVey's fight to lose; the prime Willard of 1915-1916 was a decent enough fighter to get the better of Moran. In fact, I think Willard did better than Jack Johnson did against the same Moran. McVey is dropping in my estimation. Perhaps it is just unlucky for him that the film that unsurfaced shows his opponent, journeyman Jim Battling Johnson getting the better of him in the few rounds shown in their 1914 Parris fight. By 1915-1916, McVey slipped a bit. I could be wrong here, but I think Willard would win a hard fought battle somewhere between rounds 15-25.
I think th Jess Willard that won the title from Johnson has the advantage, but in the mid 1920's when both fighters were still up to fight, McVea takes it.
Not a chance. McVey was well pas this prime. McVey's prime years were from 1906-1913. Not the 1920's.
I know. But past both their primes McVey I think would win it. Although, to be honest, I don't know a lot about Jess Willard so I just say this on limited information I have on the two fighters.
I'm just not convinced that McVea was really that good. He had a retreating style with one good punch. He was short and short of reach. He seemed to lack much in the ring. I think Willard would have had a field day with him.
Here is the challenge: "McVea has knocked out almost every white fighter he has met and has defeated the four greatest colored men in his class, namely, Sam Langford, Joe Jeanette, Battling Jim Johnson and Harry (The Black Panther) Wills. For the past six years he has been the greatest figher attraction in the business. He is ready to meet Jess Willard for a $10,000 side bet, winner to take all the purse, and besides that Mr. Lawrence agrees to present Willard $1,000 for every round Willard lasts with McVea over five rounds and to put up an additional $5,000 that Willard will not last 10 rounds with McVea".
I've got McVey's reach listed at 78". It seems a tad long for a man of his stature, but that is what the Denver Post reports. I do agree that McVey was crude, even by the standards of his time.
1914 and the beginning of 15 McVey was still good enough to beat Harry Wills after that he began to lose more often so broadly speaking I would agree with you M,Willard might just keep him out at range as he did Moran.
