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
editMcCarey 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]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Sports World Mourns Uncle Tom's Passing". The Los Angeles Times. February 2, 1936. p. 28. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ "Cauliflower Alley Notes". The Los Angeles Times. February 4, 1936. p. 29. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ "Where Are They Now? No. 36". The Los Angeles Times. August 9, 1936. p. 35. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ "Uncle Tom to Hold Fights in New Orleans". The Los Angeles Times. December 7, 1914. p. 17. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
- ^ "Hollywood in Sport, Bill Henry - Handball Great Help to Leo McCarey". The Los Angeles Times. March 14, 1937. p. 30. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ "Hollywood in Sport, Bill Henry - Ray McCarey". The Los Angeles Times. March 31, 1937. p. 32. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
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