Charles "Kid"McCoy (October 13, 1872 â€" April 18, 1940), born Norman
Selby, was an American world champion boxer and early Hollywood
actor.Born in Moscow, Rush County, Indiana, McCoy would eventually
weigh 160 pounds (73 kg), stand 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm), and go on
to a record 81 wins (55 by KO, with 6 losses, 9 no decision, and 6
disqualifications). McCoy was noted for his "corkscrew punch" â€" a
blow delivered with a twisting of the wrist.[i] According to McCoy, he
learned the punch one evening while resting in someone's barn after a
day of riding the rails. He noticed a cat strike at a ball of string
and imitated its actions. Whether true or not, McCoy was known as a
fast, "scientific" fighter who would cut his opponents with sharp
blows. He reportedly would wrap his knuckles in mounds of friction
tape, to better cut his opponents faces. He was listed # 1 Light
Heavyweight of all time in Fifty Years At Ringside, published in 1958.
He was also regarded as a formidable puncher, and was included in Ring
Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.Tommy Ryan was
knocked out by Kid McCoy in the 15th round on March 2, 1906. This bout
forms part of the lore of the McCoy legend. McCoy served as a sparring
partner for Ryan, and absorbed many beatings at the hands of his
employer. Ryan was notorious for showing little mercy to his sparring
partners.As a result, McCoy hated Ryan, and sought revenge. It is
alleged that McCoy, who appeared thin, pale and frail, persuaded Ryan
that he was seriously ill before their fight. McCoy, who was famed as
a trickster, purportedly rubbed flour on his face so as to appear
deathly ill. Ryan is said to have fallen for the ruse, failed to train
properly and was not in top condition for the bout. Whether true or
not, McCoy scored an upset win over Ryan in the non-title match
Selby, was an American world champion boxer and early Hollywood
actor.Born in Moscow, Rush County, Indiana, McCoy would eventually
weigh 160 pounds (73 kg), stand 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm), and go on
to a record 81 wins (55 by KO, with 6 losses, 9 no decision, and 6
disqualifications). McCoy was noted for his "corkscrew punch" â€" a
blow delivered with a twisting of the wrist.[i] According to McCoy, he
learned the punch one evening while resting in someone's barn after a
day of riding the rails. He noticed a cat strike at a ball of string
and imitated its actions. Whether true or not, McCoy was known as a
fast, "scientific" fighter who would cut his opponents with sharp
blows. He reportedly would wrap his knuckles in mounds of friction
tape, to better cut his opponents faces. He was listed # 1 Light
Heavyweight of all time in Fifty Years At Ringside, published in 1958.
He was also regarded as a formidable puncher, and was included in Ring
Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.Tommy Ryan was
knocked out by Kid McCoy in the 15th round on March 2, 1906. This bout
forms part of the lore of the McCoy legend. McCoy served as a sparring
partner for Ryan, and absorbed many beatings at the hands of his
employer. Ryan was notorious for showing little mercy to his sparring
partners.As a result, McCoy hated Ryan, and sought revenge. It is
alleged that McCoy, who appeared thin, pale and frail, persuaded Ryan
that he was seriously ill before their fight. McCoy, who was famed as
a trickster, purportedly rubbed flour on his face so as to appear
deathly ill. Ryan is said to have fallen for the ruse, failed to train
properly and was not in top condition for the bout. Whether true or
not, McCoy scored an upset win over Ryan in the non-title match
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