Sam McVey

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Sam McVey
Statistics
Real name	Samuel E. Mac Vea
Rated at	Heavyweight
Nationality	American
Birth date	May 17, 1884(1884-05-17)
Birth place	Waelder, Texas
Death date	December 23, 1921 (aged 37)
Death place	New York City, NY
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	96
Wins	65
Wins by KO	47
Losses	15
Draws	11
No contests	4

Sam McVey or Sam McVea (born May 17, 1884 - died December 23, 1921) was a famous heavyweight contender in boxing during the early 20th century. He fought out of Oxnard, California. McVey ranked alongside Sam Langford and Joe Jeanette as one of the top black fighters during a famed career that took him across the globe. In 96 documented fights in at least 10 different countries, McVey only lost 15 bouts. His greatest wins include two victories over both Sam Langford and Harry Wills, which won him the "colored heavyweight title" on two separate occasions, respectively. In his later years he worked as a trainer and sparring partner for both black and white fighters training for important contests.

McVey contracted pneumonia in New York City during the winter of 1921, and died penniless while still an active fighter. McVea spent much of his prime years fighting overseas, though usually against other top American fighters.