Sam McVea/Vey

I thought McVey used oxygen in the 49 round fight as well? :?

 

A number of the so-called white hope heavyweights had a very short shelf life, especially compared to the best black heavyweights of the time. Jack Johnson, Sam Langford, Joe Jeannette, Sam McVey and Harry Wills all had lengthy careers and were world-class fighters for at least a decade.

- Chuck Johnston

 

Yes they did, Gunboat Smith' s viability as a top contender hardly lasted a year.
Kaufman quickly went from being a contender to a sparring partner for the champ. McCarty was tragically killed ,and his opponent Pelkey was ruined by the experience. The one withthe most longevity was probably Jim Flynn, who was recycled and resurrected on the basis of wins over the likes of a young Carl Morris, who became just an opponent type himself .

 

Jack Johnson rated McVey higher than Langford and Jeanette

 

This suggests they both used it:
http://www.xlfights.com/Home/Entrie...m_McVey_vs._Joe_Jeannette_April_17,_1909.html

 

I love the McVey lore and legend but this filmed footage of him at what should be his prime is hard for me to rationalize. There is just so much wrong with what he is doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSVI7_SjmQI

 

About 25 or 30 years ago, I could not find any report of any bout that Sam McVey supposedly had in Salinas, California or Oxnard, California before his bout with George Sullivan took place. Yes, McVey got off to a fast start in his great career, which became very apparent when he stopped Fred Russell only a few months after fighting Sullivan in his first verified professional bout. But I think such a scenario is possible.

McVey was scheduled to fight Russell again in a bout at Hazard's Pavilion in Los Angeles, but sustained an injury while bowling. Jack Johnson was a substitute for McVey and won by disqualification in a bout with Russell. McVey didn't fight at Hazard's Pavilion until the early part of 1903.

Hank Griffin worked with McVey during the latter part of 1902. This may indicate that McVey was a promising fighter, but a relatively unpolished one.

Harry Stuart was the house referee in main events for Tom McCarey during the latter's first few years as a promoter. Afterwards, Charles Eyton replaced Stuart.

- Chuck Johnston

 

A quick reply as its the end of the year, and I am busy.

point 1 )

McVey had numerous fights with Langford and Jeanette, and they got the better of him. He did win a few, though I think one of his wins was very questionable. Wasn't Wills green when McVey beat him? I think so...as I said time for me is short today.

As stated McVey did not fight the best white heavies ( Smith, McCarty, Willard, Carpentier, Hart, Burns, Ect.. ) , so he's best remembered as the worst of the best black heavies of his time. It is plausible that Smith, Hart, Burns, or Willard were better. We don't know for sure.


point 2 ) Corbett rated Peter Jackson 1B after Jeffries. Johnson was not placed as close. I can pull the ratings by Corbett later, He thought highly of Jackson for sure.

point 3 ) Slavin was an undefeated fighter when Jackson fought him..good enough to be avoided by John Sullivan. Jackson also beat Dooley ( Aussie champ ) Denver Ed Smith, a 21-1 Peter Maher, Cardiff, McAuliffe, and Godfrey.

The Assuie heavies of the 1880's and 1890's were a good lot. My hunch is you don't know a lot about them if you asked who Jackson beat.

As for you last point, you could type it in. I'm not going to guess at your mysterious acquisitions.

 

While I think that Sam McVey was not as formidable as Jack Johnson, Sam Langford, Joe Jeannette and Harry Wills, he was a truly great fighter in my book. In other words, I look at it as the glass being half-full rather than half-empty.

Has there been a white fighter who was as deserving of getting a shot at the world heavyweight title as Peter Jackson, Langford, Jeannette, McVey and Wills, but didn't get one like all of the mentioned fighters? For awhile, I couldn't think of one, but it dawned on me that Harry Greb also piled up an incredible record while fighting good heavyweights and didn't get a shot. Of course, Greb was a middleweight, which made it easier to overlook him. Another white fighter who did quite well against good heavyweights was Mickey Walker, who also didn't get a shot.

- Chuck Johnston

 

Spot on.

 

I take it the underlined is a yule tide joke?
Cardiff retired with an injured arm against Jackson, Denver Ed Smith was no one special, Godfrey had beaten no one when Jackson beat him .

I think it is you who needs to brush up on these guys. I repeat Jackson does not possess a signature win to compare to McVey's over Langford , Jeannette, or Wills and this is not up for debate.