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Arthur Pelkey (27 October 1884 – 18 February 1921) was a Canadian boxer who fought from 1910 to 1920. Born Andrew Arthur Pelletier in 
Approximately two minutes into the first round of the scheduled 10-round bout, the 210 lbs. Pelkey K.O.-ed the 200 lbs.
McCarty. Eight minutes later, McCarty was pronounced dead. Pelkey reportedly broke down and wept when told of McCarty's death. Tommy Burns's Arena burned down the following day, likely as a result of arson.
A coroner's jury ruled that McCarty had died of a cerebral hemorrhage. The ruling held that he had not been killed by a blow delivered by Pelkey but that the hemorrhage likely was the result of a previous injury. Pelkey later claimed that his legal expenses linked to McCarty's death bankrupted him.
Pelkey reportedly was never the same after killing McCarty. He lost the white heavyweight title to
Pain Court, Ontario
Pain Court (often incorrectly spelled Paincourt) is a primarily French-speaking agricultural village in southwestern Ontario, Canada, in the municipality of Chatham-Kent. It was established in 1854, as one of the earliest French-speaking settlem ...
, the 6′ 1½″ Pelkey fought in the heavyweight division at a weight of between 206 and 210 lbs. He was one of the " White Hopes" of the time that African American Jack Johnson was the world heavyweight champion.
The height of his pro career and its nadir happened simultaneously when on 24 May 1913, he met Luther McCarty
Luther Quinter McCarty (March 17, 1892 – May 24, 1913) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1911 to 1913. He was considered by most to be the greatest of all the " Great White Hope" fighters who fought during the time of ...
at Tommy Burns's Arena in Calgary, Alberta
Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Canadian Prairies, Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,30 ...
for McCarty's World White Heavyweight title. Burns had been the world heavyweight champ who had lost his title to Jack Johnson, and the title had been created to crown a white heavyweight champ in light of the failures of successive White Hopes to wrest the title from Johnson.
Approximately two minutes into the first round of the scheduled 10-round bout, the 210 lbs. Pelkey K.O.-ed the 200 lbs.
McCarty. Eight minutes later, McCarty was pronounced dead. Pelkey reportedly broke down and wept when told of McCarty's death. Tommy Burns's Arena burned down the following day, likely as a result of arson.
A coroner's jury ruled that McCarty had died of a cerebral hemorrhage. The ruling held that he had not been killed by a blow delivered by Pelkey but that the hemorrhage likely was the result of a previous injury. Pelkey later claimed that his legal expenses linked to McCarty's death bankrupted him.
Pelkey reportedly was never the same after killing McCarty. He lost the white heavyweight title to Gunboat Smith
Edward "Gunboat" Smith (February 17, 1887 – August 6, 1974) was an Irish American boxer, film actor and later a boxing referee. During his career, Smith faced twelve different Boxing Hall of Famers a combined total of 23 times. Among the all-ti ...
on New Year's Day 1914 at Coffroth's Arena in Daly City, California
Daly City () is the second most populous city in San Mateo County, California, United States, with population of 104,901 according to the 2020 census. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and immediately south of San Francisco (sharing its ...
United States via a T.K.O. in the 15th round of the scheduled 20-round bout.
When he retired in 1920, he had compiled an official career record of 27 wins (17 by K.O.) against 21 losses (having been K.O.-ed 16 times) and three draws. This also included 10 newspaper decision A newspaper decision was a type of decision in professional boxing. It was rendered by a consensus of sportswriters attending a bout after it had ended inconclusively with a "no decision", as many regions had not adopted the National Sporting Club o ...
s: five wins, two losses and three draws.
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References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pelkey, Arthur 1884 births 1921 deaths Sportspeople from Chatham-Kent Heavyweight boxers World white heavyweight boxing champions Canadian male boxers Boxing people from Ontario