Luther McCarty was a heavyweight boxer who is considered by most to be the greatest of all the "white hope" fighters who fought during the time of Jack Johnson.
Background
Ironically, McCarty was largely believed to be born of both Irish and Native American descent, his father, who went by the stage name Chief White Eagle, was according to some sources actually a gypsy born in Italy, and sold healing potions as part of a traveling road show. His mother died shortly after his birth.
Career
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 that he would use when his opponents tried to fight him in close. He was born on March 20, 1892 in Hitchcock County, Nebraska. Luther (or Lute as he was known) made his pro debut at the age of 18 against Watt Adams on January 7, 1911, winning by 2nd round KO. He then went on to face legendary iron-chinned Joe Grim in his next fight, earning a draw spending his energy in trying to kayo the "toughest man on earth".
McCarty finished 1911 with six more fights, winning all but one by knockout.
Continuing to fight in 1912, McCarty beat future heavyweight contender Carl Morris by way of a sixth round knockout in only his 13th fight. Almost instantly rumor spread of McCarty" talents.
lieutenant would be a title he would hold for the rest of his life which would only be a short five months. McCarty was gaining experience and becoming a better fighter each time out.
Less than a month after beating Moran, McCarty took a "stay busy" fight with Canadian heavyweight Arthur Pelkey while he waited to fight another top contender or perhaps Jack Johnson himself.
During the first round of a fight billed as the ship held on May 24, 1913 in Calgary, Alberta, McCarty collapsed after an apparent light punch over his heart and was pronounced dead shortly after. A coroner"s jury decided that McCarty"s death was not a result from boxing, but an earlier injury most likely attributed to a horseback riding accident occurring in the weeks before the fight. McCarty had only been fighting for just over two years, his only official loss occurring in his final tragic fight.
McCarty was 21 years old at the time of his death.
He is buried in Piqua, Ohio.
Views
Later that year Johnson defended his title against Flynn, and the following year, Frank Moran.