Born: 13 October 1872
Died: 18 April 1940 (drug overdose, age 67)
Birthplace: Rush County, Indiana
Best known as:
Barnstorming boxer who may have been "The Real McCoy"

4 good links

Kid McCoy
His entry at the International Boxing Hall of Fame
Charles McCoy
Lengthy (if casual) biography of McCoy, with many anecdotes
Kid McCoy: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Admiring recap also emphasizes his cruel streak
The Real McCoy
A quick examination of the possible origins of "The Real McCoy"

Charles "Kid" McCoy Biography

Boxer

Name at birth: Norman Selby

"Kid" McCoy got his nickname when he began prizefighting as a teenager under the pseudonym of Charles McCoy. He went on to become a popular barnstorming boxer, taking on all comers around the world for nearly 25 years. McCoy's "corkscrew" punch was famous for the cutting damage it inflicted on opponent's faces, and he was known for his trickery and unpredictability in the ring. He is often credited with being the inspiration for the popular phrase "The Real McCoy," though the true origins of that phrase are unclear. After retiring from the ring, McCoy spent eight years in San Quentin penitentiary for killing a lover. He committed suicide in 1940.