[4] In search for fame and fortune in 1883, he first thought of boxing as a career, which was prompted by his meeting with Peter Jackson at "Darky" Green's restaurant in Bathurst Street.

[4] With Jackson being impressed by his performance he insisted on McCarthy joining his School situated at Charlie Rickett's Light House Hotel, which he agreed to.

[4] McCarthy debuted his first professional fight at Foley's Hall on April 10, 1886, against Billy Smith which ended in a newspaper decision draw.

[5] In early 1888, after fighting two draws with Martin "Buffalo" Costello and Bob Fitzsimmons, he entered a middleweight division of tournament at Victoria Theatre in Newcastle promoted by Mick Mororey.

[7] Sometime during the evening, Smith who had previously lost to McCarthy in the tournament challenged him to a contest,[7] which led to them fighting three bouts at Foley's Hall with all ending as draws in April of that year.

[11] On September 6, it was announced that McCarthy would be fighting Denny Kelleher at the Californian Athletic Club with Queensbury rules governing on November 21, for a purse of $1,800, of which $300 goes to the loser.

[17] Eventually in the 28th round, McCarthy was retired by his second Paddy Gorman leading Dempsey to retain his title of world middleweight champion.

[4] After his return to Australia aboard the Royal mail steamship Cuzco in 1891,[23] McCarthy had his first official fight for the Australian middlweight championship against the then champion Jim Hall on January 19.