The New York herald., 1921-01-09
CAL MCCARTHY HAD
BRILLIANT RECORD
Jerseyman Gave Dixon the
Two Hardest Contests of
His Career.
BY CHARLES T.. MATHIsON.

BY CHARLES Il. MATHISON.
Although Cal Mccarthy OF Jersey
City was one Of the greatest fighters
in the featherweight class and gave
George Dixon, then at his best. two
of the hardest battles of his career.
the Jerseyman's ring and personal
history were never included in
records OF the squared circle.
A member of the Old Timers Club
OF Jersey City recently asked for
information as to the youngsters
performances in the ring. and the
publication of the request has
brought forth a reply from a resi-
dent OF Jersey City. who was Nc
Carthy's chief second in a majority
of his battles. This man, who does
not care to have his name published,
writes as follows
Callahan Mccarthy. better known as
Cal. was born in Susquehanna, Pa, in
1869 and died November 20. 1895. While
youngster he Joined the famous Scot
tish-American Athletic Club of Jersey
City, and went in for sprint racing. He
won a few races, but he decided to
learn the game of hit, stop and get away.
An English boxer named Jim Gaiger.
who said he had fought two draws with
Jem Smith and one with Charley Nit
chell, was the instructor. Glasses were
formed, and in one year the Scots (by
the way you didn't have to be Scotch
TO join the club were the winners in
every amateur tournament that took
place in the vicinity of New York. The
". A. A. A. A. controlled amateur events
In those days. and when the late Jim
formed the Amateur Athletic Union, the
Scots were thrown into the discard We
were declared professionals. although
most Of Us at that time had done nothing
worse than boxing at some benefit.
Noted Pupils.
Following are some of the boxers
turned out by Prof. Jim Gaiger:
105 Pounds--Chappie Moran. Charley
Roden. Dickie Connors. Maurice Boland
Pete Sherry, Tommy Mccarthy. Pack"
Barry.
115 Pounds-Cal Mccarthy, Jack
Carey. Mike Cahill. Johnnie Rotterdam.
Eddie Connell, Jimmie Looney. Patsy
Murphy. Willie Skillman.
122 pounds-Jimmie Larkins, Box
Kenny. Tim Connolly. Joe Craig.
126 pounds-Aleck Gallagher, Hughie
O'Neil.
1876 pounds-Ed Cahill. Patsy Looney.
Joe Grohl.
145 pounds.-Dave Entwistle. Pete
Closterman. Steve Bloom.
15s pounds-Pat Cahill. Sim Robinson.
Eb Closterman.
Heavyweight - Ginger Mccormack,
Billy Duffy. George Conkllng.
At least one In all these groups be-
came an amateur champion of his class
In State or nation.
Cal Mccarthy asked me one night to
second him. He was entered in the
Spartan Harriers' tournament for the
10 pound amateur championship of
America I went and had the pleasure
Of bringing back the champion. l con-
tinued ms his chief second from his first
contest up to and including that with
Mike Nolan OF England in Clarendon
Hall, New York.
Dixon's Tribute.
I will never forget George Dixon's
statement in regard TO Mccarthy. Dixon
said: "I have fought more than 500
fights. but 4 never met a man 80 won
derful as Cal Mccarthy. He was the
greatest ring general | ever met. never
knew what he was going TO do next"
Mccarthy took part In all the ANA
teur tournaments in and about New York
until declared n professional by the
committee OF the A. A. u.
Among his opponents we're Jimmy
Lynch, former national champion;
Tommy Kelly. the Harlem Spider;
Mike Cahiil, brother of the famous Pat
Cahill, national middleweight champion.
Dan Leahey. who won the medal at
122 pounds In the Jersey tournament.
wagered his medal against McCarthy's
In a three round contest Cal won and
presented his opponent with the medal.
Mccarthy fought Ed Golden OF Brook
lyn for purse OF $500 at the Scots
ctibroom and won in seven rounds.
Sim Collins came next In ten round
draw, and Joe F'1aherty of Lynn. Mass.
at Boston In six round draw. Flaherty
again at Staten Island. and Mac stopped
him In fifteen rounds. and again In
Hoboken In seven rounds
Paddy Kearneys whom Mao had