Boxing History: On This Day: Charley Goldman Remembered

By Peter Silkov

Charley Goldman was a very clever and tough bantamweight boxer, born Israel Goldman on December 21, 1888, in Warsaw, Poland ( some sources say born in Russia on December 22, 1887.) He later moved with his family to New York, where he started boxing professionally in 1904. Goldman fought notable fighters including Joe Wagner, Benny Kaufman, Paddy Callahan, George Kitson, Young Britt, Phil McGovern, Knockout Brown, Young Ziringer, Patsy Brannigan, Frankie Burns, Tommy Houck, Charlie Harvey, Frankie Burns, George ‘Ko’ Chaney, Kid Williams, Johnny Coulon, Johnny Solzberg, and Abe Friedman.

Although Goldman has 137 verified fights on his record, it is known that he had many more fights during his career.

After his retirement from boxing in 1918, Goldman became a boxing trainer, and would become known as one of the best trainers in the business. His most notable success as a trainer was his moulding Rocky Marciano into the World heavyweight champion. Other world champions whom he trained included Lou Ambers, Joe Archibald, Kid Gavilan, Al McCoy, Carlos Ortiz, Marty Servo, Jersey Joe Walcott (1930 to 1934) and Fritzie Zivic. Goldman also worked with top contenders Rory Calhoun, Walter Cartier, Arturo Godoy, Johnny Risko, Cesar Brion, Tony Alongi and Oscar Bonavena.

Charley Goldman died on November 11, 1968, at the age of 80-years old. In 1992, Goldman was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. 

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On This Day: Al McCoy Remembered

Al McCoy was a good all-round boxer with a decent punch, and a southpaw style, which made him a tough match for anyone. McCoy was born Alexander Rudolph on October 23, 1894, in Woodbine, New Jersey. The second of nine children, Rudolph left home at the age of 14 to begin his boxing career after being forbidden to box by his father. McCoy would be managed by a number of colourful figures during his career, including A.I. Randolph, T.Brennan, Jack Daugherty, Dan Morgan and Leo Flynn. For most of his professional career McCoy was trained by Charley Goldman, an ex-fighter himself, who would later train Rocky Marciano to the heavyweight title.

Through his career, McCoy faced an impressive array of the top middleweights and light-heavyweight’s of the 1900s and 1910s, fighters such as Young Otto, Willie Fitzgerald, Gus Christie, Wild Cat Ferns, Soldier Bartfield, Willie ‘Ko’ Brennan, Zulu Kid, Mike Gibbons, George Chip, Willie Lewis, Italian Joe Gans, Young Ahearn, Jack Dillon, Harry Greb, Mike O’Dowd, and Leo Houck. However, McCoy’s career was marked by the high number of no-decision fights that he took part in, and for this reason, never truly gained the credit that he should have for his accomplishments.

McCoy won the World middleweight title on April 7, 1914, with a surprising 1^st round knockout over the favoured George Chip. McCoy would hold the world title until November 14, 1917, when he was knocked out in 6 rounds by Mike O’Dowd. He was not a popular champion due to his taking part in a lot of no-decision fights during his reign. He was also adjudged to have lost quite a few of these no decision contests, but held onto his middleweight title as he could only be dethroned if he was stopped inside the distance. In April, 30, 1917, McCoy had fought a no-decision contest with Harry Greb, with both men under the middleweight limit, and had been badly beaten and out-classed by Greb, yet held onto his title because he lasted the 10 round distance.

Al McCoy retired in 1924, his final record is disputed, Box Rec has his verified record as being (31-13-6, 27koes) while the late Nat Fleischer compiled a (50-5-7, 28koes) (plus 82 no decisions) record for McCoy. It is known that he is said to have taken part in many fights which have yet to be verified.

After retiring from boxing, McCoy would try acting in Los Angeles. He would have a role in the movie “The Bowery.” He would also work in boxing promotions. The later part of Al McCoy's life was a series of unfortunate events, which started when he lost everything in a fire, then plagued by health problems he was placed in a nursing home.

Al McCoy died on August 22, 1966, at the age of 71, in Los Angeles. 

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