Sam McVey


Samuel E. MacVea , better known as Sam McVey, was an American Hall of Fame heavyweight boxer during the early 20th century. Famously known as the "Oxnard Cyclone", he ranked alongside Jack Johnson, Joe Jeanette, Sam Langford, and Harry Wills, some of the best heavyweights of their time. All of them, except Johnson, were denied a shot at the world heavyweight championship due to the color bar, which was ironically maintained by Johnson when he became the first black to win the world heavyweight in spotlight. Despite being denied a title shot, Sam enjoyed the famed career that took him across the globe.
In 96 documented fights in at least 10 different countries, McVey only lost 16 bouts. 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. His first pro fight listed on BoxRec took place in 1902 at the age of 18, 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. 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, Joe Jeanette, Harry Wills, and Jack Johnson. Overall, McVey's boxing record was 65 wins, 16 losses, and 12 draws.
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. 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.
In 1912, McVey was one of the contenders for the World Colored Heavyweight Championship fought at various venues across Australia. His opponent Sam Langford 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.

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.

Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, 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.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
112Draw74–14–10 Jeff ClarkNWS10Aug 1, 1921Rossmere Park, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US
111Win74–14–10 Jeff ClarkNWS10Jul 7, 1921Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
110Win74–14–10 Jeff ClarkPTS12Mar 21, 1921Columbus, Ohio, US
109NC73–14–10 Jack ThompsonNC6 Mar 18, 1921Moose Temple, Detroit, Michigan, USMcVea was hit with body blows. He held excessively,
so the referee declared a no contest
108NC73–14–10 Harry WillsNC6 Sep 8, 1920Ice Palace, Philadelphia, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake;
Fight stopped for "stalling"
107Win73–14–10 Jack WardKO2 Sep 1, 1920Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, US
106Loss72–14–10 Sam LangfordNWS10Aug 14, 1920East Chicago, Indiana, US
105Loss72–14–10 Pinky LewisPTS10Aug 5, 1920Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
104Win72–13–10 Clem JohnsonKO4 Dec 15, 1918Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama
103Draw71–13–10 Jack LivingstonePTS10Sep 14, 1918Broadway Theater, Colon City, Panama
102Loss71–13–9 Harry WillsPTS20Jun 16, 1918Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama
101Loss71–12–9 Harry WillsKO5 Feb 17, 1918Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama
100Win71–11–9 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS25Oct 14, 1917Broadway Theater, Colon City, Panama
99Win70–11–9 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS20Aug 12, 1917Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, PanamaFought outside in heavy rain
98Win69–11–9 Jeff ClarkTKO15 Jul 15, 1917Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama
97Win68–11–9 Jeff ClarkPTS20May 13, 1917Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama
96Win67–11–9 Jim BarryTKO7 Mar 11, 1917Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama
95Win66–11–9 Jim BriggsKO2 Jan 27, 1917Santa Ana Plaza, Panama City, Panama
94Win65–11–9 Fitz BrathwaiteKO1 Jan 27, 1917Santa Ana Plaza, Panama City, Panama
93Win64–11–9 Jack LivingstoneKO5 Jan 14, 1917Garden Theater, Colon City, Panama
92Win63–11–9 Bob DeverePTS10Sep 20, 1916Santiago de Chile, Chile
91Draw62–11–9 Bob DeverePTS20Sep 3, 1916Santiago de Chile, Chile
90Draw62–11–8 Sam LangfordPTS20Aug 12, 1916Teatro Roma, Avellaneda, ArgentinaFor world colored heavyweight title
89Draw62–11–7 Sam LangfordNWS12May 2, 1916East Market St. Rink, Akron, Ohio, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake;
88Loss62–11–7 Jack ThompsonPTS8Apr 14, 1916Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, US
87Loss62–10–7 Sam LangfordNWS10Apr 7, 1916Arena, Syracuse, New York, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake;
86Loss62–10–7 Sam LangfordNWS10Feb 17, 1916Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
85Draw62–10–7 Sam LangfordNWS10Oct 23, 1915American A.C., New York City, New York, US
84Win62–10–7 Jeff ClarkPTS10Oct 15, 1915North Side A.C., Kansas City, Missouri, US
83Draw61–10–7 Sam LangfordPTS20Sep 30, 1915Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, US
82Loss61–10–6 Harry WillsPTS12Sep 7, 1915Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USLost world colored heavyweight title
81Win61–9–6 Sam LangfordKO8 Aug 10, 1915Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
80Win60–9–6 Sam LangfordPTS12Jun 29, 1915Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USWon world colored heavyweight title
79Win59–9–6 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Jun 9, 1915Gayety Theatre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
78Win59–9–6 Harry WillsNWS10May 19, 1915St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
77Draw59–9–6 Joe JennettePTS12Apr 27, 1915Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, USFor world colored heavyweight title
76Win59–9–5 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS20Feb 20, 1915Havana, Cuba
75Win58–9–5 Harry WillsPTS20Dec 20, 1914McDonoghville Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
74Win57–9–5 Battling Jim JohnsonNWS10Dec 10, 1914Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
73Win57–9–5 Arthur PelkeyKO4 Jun 13, 1914Baker's Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
72Win56–9–5 Colin BellKO2 Dec 27, 1913Olympia A.C. Newtown, Sydney, Australia
71Win55–9–5 Professor StevensonKO5 Nov 6, 1913Rink Hall, Lismore, Australia
70Win54–9–5 Colin BellTKO16 Apr 19, 1913National Arena, Adelaide, AustraliaWon South Australia State heavyweight titles
69Draw53–9–5 Sam LangfordPTS20Mar 24, 1913Olympic Stadium, Brisbane, AustraliaFor world colored heavyweight titles
68Loss53–9–4 Sam LangfordKO13 Dec 26, 1912Sydney Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaFor Australian and world colored heavyweight titles
67Loss53–8–4 Sam LangfordTKO11 Oct 9, 1912Exhibition Stadium, Perth, AustraliaFor Australian and world colored heavyweight titles;
McVey claimed a foul. This was not allowed and he refused to continue
66Loss53–7–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Aug 3, 1912Sydney Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaFor Australian and world colored heavyweight titles
65Loss53–6–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Apr 8, 1912Sydney Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaLost Australian and world colored heavyweight titles
64Win53–5–4 Jim BarryPTS20Mar 16, 1912Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia
63Win52–5–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Dec 26, 1911Sydney Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaRetained Australian heavyweight title;
Won world colored heavyweight title
62Win51–5–4 Jack LesterTKO8 Dec 11, 1911Olympic Stadium, Brisbane, AustraliaRetained Australian heavyweight title
61Win50–5–4 Bill LangKO2 Oct 28, 1911Sydney Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaRetained Australian heavyweight title
60Win49–5–4 Jack LesterPTS20Sep 30, 1911Sydney Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaWon Australian heavyweight title
59Win48–5–4 Alf LangfordKO9 Aug 3, 1911Artillery Drill Hall, Sheffield, England, UK
58Win47–5–4 George RodelKO1 Jul 20, 1911Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, England, UK
57Win46–5–4 Andrew DixonKO4 May 25, 1911Cirque-Théâtre, Angers, France
56Draw45–5–4 Sam LangfordPTS20Apr 1, 1911Cirque de Paris, Paris, FranceFor world colored heavyweight title
55Win45–5–3 Charley HarrisKO3 Feb 25, 1911Apollo-Cirque, Nancy, France
54Win44–5–3 Seaman Fred ParsonsKO1 Jan 14, 1911Bâtiment Électoral, Geneva, Switzerland
53Win43–5–3 Battling Jim JohnsonKO21 Nov 19, 1910Luna Park Skating Rink, Paris, France
52Win42–5–3 Sergeant SunshineKO1 Oct 22, 1910Hippodrome, Paris, Belgium
51Win41–5–3 Peter RiceTKO3 Oct 17, 1910Brussels Rinking, Brussels, Belgium
50Draw40–5–3 Battling Jim JohnsonPTS15Aug 7, 1910Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
49Win40–5–2 Peter RiceKO4 Jul 22, 1910Salle de la Pépinière, Paris, France
48Win39–5–2 Joe GrimTKO13 Jun 25, 1910Hippodrome, Paris, France
47Win38–5–2 Jim StewartTKO6 Apr 16, 1910Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
46Win37–5–2 Arthur BennettKO4 Apr 13, 1910Apollo-Cirque, Nancy, France
45Win36–5–2 Herbert SinnottKO5Mar 25, 1910Grand-Théâtre, Saint-Etienne, FranceA fight to the finish
44Win35–5–2 Al KubiakKO10 Feb 26, 1910Wonderland, Paris, France
43Win34–5–2 Fred DrummondKO5 Jan 27, 1910Le Havre, France
42Draw33–5–2 Joe JennettePTS30Dec 11, 1909Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, FranceFor world colored heavyweight title
41Win33–5–1 Fred DrummondKO7 Jul 4, 1909Praça de Touros do Campo Pequeno, Lisbon, Portugal
40Win32–5–1 Jim BarryDQ15 Jun 26, 1909Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
39Win31–5–1 Bill HarrisKO5May 30, 1909Arènes du Rond-Point du Prado, Marseille, FranceA fight to the finish
38Win30–5–1 Fred DrummondKO5 Apr 24, 1909Nouveau Cirque, Orléans, France
37Loss29–5–1 Joe JennetteRTD49 Apr 17, 1909Cirque de Paris, Paris, FranceLost world colored heavyweight title
36Win29–4–1 'Cyclone' Billy WarrenKO2 Apr 9, 1909Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, FranceRetained world colored heavyweight title
35Win28–4–1 Joe JennettePTS20Feb 20, 1909Salle des Fêtes, Roubaix, FranceWon vacant world colored heavyweight title
34Win27–4–1 Herbert SinnottKO5 Feb 5, 1909Salle des Fêtes, Roubaix, France
33Win26–4–1 Bill RickardKO1, 0:06Jan 23, 1909Folies Bergère, Paris, France
32Draw25–4–1 Fred DrummondPTS?Dec 18, 1908Théâtre de l'Eldorado, Montpellier, France
3125–4 Fred DrummondNC? Dec 17, 1908Théâtre de l'Eldorado, Montpellier, France
30Win25–4 CamerlingsTKO1 Nov 18, 1908Scala, Brussels, Belgium
29Win24–4 Herbert SinnottKO5 Nov 14, 1908Hippodrome, Paris, France
28Win23–4 GuionnetTKO3 Oct 14, 1908Bordeaux, France
27Win22–4 Harry ShearingKO1 Sep 19, 1908Paris, France
26Win21–4 Fred DrummondKO4 Jul 18, 1908Scala, Oostende, Belgium
25Win20–4 Charlie WilsonKO3 Jul 12, 1908Velodrome du Karreveld, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Belgium
24Win19–4 Georges RampazziKO3 Jul 1, 1908Biarritz, FranceExact date unknown
23Win18–4 Jewey SmithKO3 May 23, 1908Porte Maillot, Paris, France
22Win17–4 Ben TaylorKO11 Apr 15, 1908Hippodrome, Paris, France
21Win16–4 Harry ShearingTKO5 Feb 15, 1908Neuilly Bowling Palace, Paris, France
20Win15–4 Jack ScalesKO2 Dec 28, 1907Salle Wagram, Paris, France
19Win14–4 Marc GaucherKO4 Oct 24, 1907Folies Bergère, Paris, France
18Win13–4 Ben TaylorKO3 Jun 3, 1907National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK
17Loss12–4 Joe JennetteNWS10Apr 15, 1907Lyric Hall, New York City, New York, US
16Win12–4Denver Ed MartinKO16 Feb 28, 1907Old Pavilion, Sacramento, California, US
15Win11–4Sailor Matt TurnerKO2, 1:15Nov 29, 1906Farragut Theater, Vallejo, California, US
14Win10–4Tornado SmithKO1 Feb 24, 1906Bakersfield, California, US
13Win9–4Denver Ed MartinKO4 Jan 25, 1906National A.C., San Diego, California, US
12Loss8–4Denver Ed MartinPTS10Aug 12, 1904Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
11Loss8–3Jack JohnsonKO20 Apr 22, 1904Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, USFor world colored heavyweight title
10Loss8–2Jack JohnsonPTS20Oct 27, 1903Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, USFor world colored heavyweight title
9Win8–1Denver Ed MartinKO1, 2:37Sep 15, 1903Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
8Win7–1Kid CarterKO11 May 5, 1903Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
7Loss6–1Jack JohnsonPTS20Feb 26, 1903Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, USFor world colored heavyweight title
6Win6–0Jack Kid LavalleKO1, 0:30Jan 31, 1903Oxnard, California, US
5Win5–0Jim 'Toothpick' KellyKO4 Jan 6, 1903Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
4Win4–0Fred RussellKO5 Nov 1, 1902Auditorium, Oxnard, California, US
3Win3–0Jack FogartyKO5 Oct 9, 1902Oxnard, California, US
2Win2–0Herb McKellKO3 Jun 19, 1902Pioneer Hall, Oxnard, California, US
1Win1–0George SullivanKO6 Apr 12, 1902Auditorium, Oxnard, California, US