Luther McCarty, His Place in Heavyweight History

[HomicideHenry]

Fueled by the somewhat controversial comments which begun in the 'Willard vs. Carnera' thread, I felt it would be appropriate to do a thread in which to further cement the fact and enduring legacy that Luther McCarty was the best white hope of his time, and what critics felt about his abilities during his time and following his time. Considering McCarty died yesterday (May 24th) it is the one hundreth and first year anniversary of the unfortunate accident that cost him his life.

While there is much mystery surrounding his relatively short life, concerning where he was residing at certain times in his life as well as how often he actually competed, or how long his status as an amateur boxer lasted; one thing is for certain, Luther McCarty was highly popular and such was his fanbase that he was given privelages and honors usually bestowed upon certified world champions, as he was a star of the ring and the stage.

First, and foremost, let's look at the known record. In less than two years time, McCarty went from facing relatively unknown stiffs to besting the most well known contenders in the country, men who had been veterans of the ring for quite some time. Among the victims, the list reads:

Joe Cox- KO6
Jeff Clark- ND10
Harry Wuest- ND10
Carl Morris- KO6
Jim Stewart- ND10
Jess Willard- ND10
Al Kaufmann- KO2
Fireman Jim Flynn- KO16
Al Pazer- KO18
Frank Moran- ND10

The newspaper reports confirm that McCarty, in this day and age that outlawed professional fights from rendering decisions unless by way of kayo, was the superior fighter in the majority of these contests--- it seems only Jeff Clark gave him any real trouble in the ring, and this was later avenged anyways. Some may argue he lost to Jim Stewart, but like the Willard contest, it was so closed and so inactive throughout it could of been easily called a draw. However, such wins and performances against such a high quality level of opposition (in that era) in such a short amount of time, has seldom ever been seen in boxing's heavyweight division.

Such was his precision and accuracy to the head and body, and 'whip-like' jab, that he simply was above the talent pool of the time. Though not on the official record, it is noted McCarty had fought (also) the 'Indian Rubber Ball' Joe Grim to a draw, though it is noted that in the 8th round of the contest Grim was hit to the nose and was bleeding so profusely he wanted no more. In this day and age of contests being ended in such matters, it would of been a TKO victory for McCarty, a rare occurence considering Grim was only stopped once in his prime.

So, how good was McCarty really? DeWitt Van Court, one of the premiere boxing experts of his time said of him: "Unquestionably the greatest young prospect since the days of John L. Sullivan." Pretty interesting, considering DeWitt was not one to throw out compliments such as these. Nat Fleischer, later of RING magazine fame, said of him: "There was first and foremost, Luther McCarty, the "white hope" champion, the man, who, had he not been killed in the ring by Arthur Pelkey, would have faced Jack Johnson, instead of Jess Willard getting the assignment."

What was other's opinions of him? The New York Times (January 5th, 1913) wrote of him:

"In his two years of boxing, McCarty has made what is undoubtedly the most impressive ring record in the history of pugilism. He has figured in twenty-two bouts, almost an average of one per month, and the charge cannot be made that he picked the easy ones. Sixteen of the twenty-two bouts have been decided by knockouts or the intervention of the referee to save McCarty's opponent. He fought four ten-round bouts and two six-round affairs which were of the no-decision variety and these alone went the scheduled distance. But it is extremely doubtful if any of the six opponents could last ten rounds against him now. Willard might, but there would be little chance of the others and Willard would have few backers in a twenty-round engagement after the showing made by McCarty against Flynn and Palzer."

What of the Jess Willard contest, that McCarty had back in August 19th of 1912 which many on this forum are so quick to point out was a 'loss' to Big Jess?

"Luther was by all odds the best-looking prospect among the white heavyweights, and it was generally expected that Willard would be beaten. McCarty rushed from the start ... Suddenly, McCarty smashed a right over Willard's left eye that stung Jess and galvanized him into a momentary outburst of anger."-Nat Fleischer

"Jess Willard, the Texas heavyweight, shaded Luther McCarty of Springfield, Mo., over the ten-round route at Madison Square Garden last night, offsetting the aggressiveness of the latter ...Willard's great height and reach had McCarty baffled in the first two rounds, but in the next two the Westerner tore in at a clip that gave promise of an easy victory, if not a knockout. Willard came back strong, however, in the later rounds of the bout...In the few exciting mix-ups that featured the bout there was little in either man's favor. Neither was in distress at any stage and neither scored a knockdown."
-New York Times, August 20th 1912

If one were to look at the various accounts concerning the contest, one would assume it to of been essentially an even draw. Willard, who was considered an iron-chinned giant, for all intents and purposes looked as if he was on his way out. Only his experience and superior reach saved him from disaster. This contest, long ballyhooed by those who discredit McCarty, speaks for itself as the Times wrote 'there was little in either man's favor'. And, just five months later, the same newspaper syndicate said that Willard and anyone else that McCarty faced wouldn't of stood a chance against him as of the January 1913 writing. So what does that say, really, of the contest?

What were the future plans of Luther McCarty, had he survived his untimely death?

According to the January 8th, 1913 issue of the Cincinnati Enquirer there was already negotiations for him to face both the British champion Billy Wells, and (believe it or not) Jack Johnson in Paris, France. There was even a hint to the possibility of facing Sam Langford, but McCarty's manager was insistent on not facing Langford 'just yet' because he admitted the colored fighters were at this stage too good at the present time. Johnson, was the one exception, because he was the 'true champion', and it was the fight everyone wanted.

According to the April 1948 issue of RING magazine, it was stated that McCarney (McCarty's manager) had met with Jack Curley in Chicago in the month of April 1913 and had agreed to stage the Johnson fight in New Mexico on July 4th. Unfortunately, McCarty died in May. His replacement for the contest, was McCarty victim Fireman Jim Flynn, who lost rather easily to Jack Johnson.

It is likely that had he lived, he would of defended his "white title" once more, before facing Johnson. The public truly couldn't get enough of McCarty, and his $65,000 fortune amassed in his career shows this to be a fact. In today's money, it would of equaled in the six figures. Seldom does any boxer, even today, make such money in such a short period of time, unless that fighter is an amateur champion and signed on with big promoters who can push them fast up the ladder.

All that remains of his legend, is a stone monument where he is burried underneath, in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Piqua, Ohio which is but mere miles from his native Sidney where he essentially began his boxing career. It must be noted, also, that after winning the title from Pazer he bought a home in Columbus, Ohio and it may be there that McCarty's wife and child would reside following his untimely death at age 21 and not North Dakota as most assume.