Sam McVey’s Big Right Hand

Sam McVey tired of the lack of opportunity for black fighters in the United States during the early Twentieth Century.  McVey decided to leave for Europe in 1907, where he fought until 1911.  McVey fought in Australia for three more years before returning to the United States.

This brief highlight film from France in 1911 with “Battling” Jim Johnson shows McVey’s power punching style.  McVey won the majority of fights with his powerful right hand.  Despite several attempts to secure a title fight with Jack Johnson, who had edged him on points twice, Johnson would not fight any other black fighters.

The lack of opportunity for a world title fight lead McVey to seek greener pastures.  Unfortunately, the oversees moves did not completely cure his cash flow probelms.

When Sam McVey returned to the United States, he lived in relative poverty in New York.  McVey eeked out a meager living training fighters and taking the occassional fight.

McVey died in a New York hospital two days before Christmas on December 23, 1921.  McVey had contracted pneumonia, which ultimately took the life of the 5’11”, 200 pound fighter.  McVey was only 37 years old.

McVey is most famous for his 15 fights with Sam Langford, another great heavyweight frozen out of the title picture because of his race.  Langford won most of the fights but McVey always gave a good account of himself.

Until Jack Johnson won the World Heavyweight Championship on December 26, 1908, the holder of the Colored Heavyweight Championship was probably the real world champion. Even after Johnson’s title victory, the best fighters fought each other for the black championship.

Sam McVey was one of the greats.

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