MCCARTY, LUTHER RARE SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH (PSA/DNA)

HISTORY: Luther Quinter McCarty (March 17, 1892 – May 24, 1913) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1911 to 1913. He was considered by most to be the greatest of all the "Great White Hope" fighters who fought during the time of Jack Johnson. He claimed the Heavyweight Championship during Jack Johnson's troubles with the United States Government, with many boxing historians rating him the man with the best chance of defeating Johnson. McCarty was ranked #10 on The Ring magazine's list of the best American heavyweights of the 1910s.

McCarty, solidly built and agile, stood about 6'4", and used his 80" reach to throw his strong left jab to both his opponent's head and body with equal accuracy. Though he was at his best controlling the action from a distance, he also possessed a powerful right hand, a devastating left hook to the body, and a punishing uppercut - called Betsy - that he would use when his opponents tried to fight him in close. In addition to his physical strengths, McCarty also had a cool fighting style, never appearing in the ring too nervous or affected by his opponents.

On April 26, 1913, soon after his win over Al Palzer, McCarty again beat Jim Flynn, this time more decisively, with McCarty leading throughout the fight and frequently compelled his opponent to clinch to avoid his vicious straight left jabs.Although he appeared to be outclassed from the start, Flynn, rushed into clinch after clinch and succeeded in landing many blows on the champion at close quarters. McCarty, however seemed to be in the pink of condition and was not affected by Flynn's hooks [...] With straight jabs he pounded away at his opponent's face. At the end of the first round Flynn's nose was bleeding, in the second round his mouth was cut and before the close of the bout one eye was nearly closed. He followed his win over Flynn with a ten-round, no-decision bout with Frank Moran in New York. Moran was considered to be a trial-horse, but he gave McCarty a tough fight, and demonstrated that McCarty lacked a true knockout punch. Nevertheless, McCarty survived the ten-round battle and won a newspaper decision according to The New York Times. Another three-round exhibition with an unknown, Fred Fulton, occurred on May 15.

Less than a month after beating Moran, McCarty traveled to Calgary, Alberta, to take a "stay busy" fight with Canadian heavyweight Arthur Pelkey while he waited to fight another top contender or perhaps Jack Johnson himself. McCarty smiled as he entered the ring on May 24, 1913, while Pelkey looked grim and determined. During the first round of a fight billed as the World White Heavyweight Championship held on May 24, 1913, a few blows were thrown, but nothing of consequence. According to The New York Times, McCarty lashed out with left jabs and found Pelkey's face, leaving a reddened countenance, with Pelkey rushing in and scoring with an uppercut. McCarty's head shook and his neck muscles bulged. From his face went the smile he had carried only moments before. From the corner, Billy McCarney, McCarty's manager, screamed to his fighter: "Move! Move! Keep moving and stick out your left!" McCarty, in a daze, on uncooperative legs, did not heed the advice. He stumbled around the ring, his face bloodless, and he took another left-right combination to the jaw. McCarty smiled, and turned slightly and fell flat on his back in the ring, with the cheers of the crowd quickly turned silent as McCarty didn't move. A chance blow just below the heart of McCarthy after one minute and forty-five seconds of fighting caused his death. The blow struck McCarthy just below the heart, sending him reeling, to which he fell heavily to the floor. The referee began the count and eventually McCarty was hauled to his corner, and as his faction attempted to revive him: Luther McCarty was dead.

McCarty's death was front-page news around the world, as it was the first time in history that a champion had been killed in the ring, while also being the first time any boxer had been killed in the ring in Canada. Everyone connected with the fight suffered, with Billy McCarney, and the referee, Ed W. Smith, The Chicago Evening American sports editor, were arrested. Tommy Burns, the promoter, was indicted for manslaughter. Arsonists burned down Tommy Burns's Arena, and boxing was banned in Alberta. On learning of McCarty's death "Pelkey broke down and cried like a child all the way to the police barracks. "I killed a man, I killed a man" were the only words that passed his lips for over an hour. Pelkey was arrested by the North-West Mounted Police and charged with manslaughter, and although he was absolved from blame by the Coroner's report, the shock of having killed McCarty in the ring ruined Pelkey. He had become an uncomfortable man to have around, and was remembered in boxing history as the man who killed Luther McCarty. On June 4, 1913, according to Windsor Star, Pelkey was described as a broken man, with his nerves being torn to shreds by the events of the few preceding days: "He may never fight again, but if he does, there appears to be every possibility that the recollection of the one blow to McCarthy's chin will make him an easy mark for opponents." Whilst adding that Pelkey declared that he is unsure what he'll do, though stated he wishes to defend his title, but whether he'll be able to or not is a matter for the future to decide.

Luther McCarty finished with a career mark of 19-4-2 with notable wins over Fireman Jim Flynn, Al Kaufman, Jim Barry, Carl Morris and Frank Moran and a 10 round draw with Jess Willard.

Offered here is a rare, original, fist generation, studio photograph of Luther McCarty which he has boldly signed. Authenticated by PSA/DNA. 

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, first generation, studio photograph of Luther McCarty in period dress. Printed at lower right: Luther McCarty Heavyweight Champion Direction, Billy McCarney. Boldly signed in fountain pen at lower left, "From you best Pal Luther McCarty." Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. Not creased or torn. 5 1/2" x 8 1/4." Authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA with cert # 85096078.

This is an exceedingly rare signed photo of Luther McCarty, the first we have seen or offered for sale.