Sam McVey
Sam McVey | |
|---|---|
Passport photo of McVey from 1919 | |
| Born | Samuel E. MacVea May 17, 1884 Waelder, Texas, US |
| Died | December 23, 1921 (aged 37) New York City, US |
| Other names | The Black Bison |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 112 (including newspaper decisions) |
| Wins | 78 |
| Wins by KO | 60 |
| Losses | 18 |
| Draws | 13 |
| No contests | 3 |
Samuel E. MacVea (May 17, 1884 – December 23, 1921), 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.