Thomas J. McCarey
American boxing promoter (1878–1936)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas J. "Uncle Tom" McCarey (September 22, 1872 – January 31, 1936) was an American boxing promoter working in California who organized fights at Hazard Pavilion, Naud Junction, and Vernon Arena.
Thomas J. McCarey | |
|---|---|
Tom McCarey, 1913 | |
| Born | September 22, 1872 Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | January 31, 1936 (aged 63) St. Vincent's Hospital, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names | T. J. McCarey, Uncle Tom, Silent Tom |
| Occupation | Boxing promoter |
| Years active | 1896–1914 |
History
McCarey came to California in 1896 and was one of the two major boxing promoters in the state, along with "Sunny Jim" Coffroth.[1] McCarey's office was at "107 Spring street in Al Greenwald's cigar store".[2] One famous fight he organized was the Joe Rivers–Ad Wolgast bout of 1912.[3][1] With the passage of California Proposition 20 in 1914, which banned professional boxing in the state, McCarey relocated to New Orleans.[4] His last fight had been a 20-round match between Joe Rivers and Johnny Dundee; he did not return to the sport even when boxing was relegalized in 1924.[1]
According to his obituary in the Los Angeles Times, McCarey "never wavered from his belief that Jack Johnson was the greatest fighter who ever lived."[1] His sons Leo McCarey and Ray McCarey were notable Hollywood directors.[5][6]
