A native of Oklahoma, Leroy McGuirk was a two-time All-American wrestler at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University), winning the NCAA title at 155 pounds in 1931. 

After graduation, he embarked upon a very long and successful professional career. He defeated Hugh Nichols for the light heavyweight championship in Tulsa on March 5, 1934. Five years later, he won the junior heavyweight title from John Swenski in Hollywood. McGuirk was the first wrestler to ever win both the NWA light heavyweight championship and the junior heavyweight championship, and his reign brought prestige to both crowns. Speed and technical skill were his forte, and he was known as both a tough shooter and good worker. 

Leroy was one of the biggest stars in the game when an automobile accident in 1950 left him blind and ended his career. He turned to promoting and became one of the most successful promoters of the 1950s and 1960s, bringing in top college stars like Dan Hodge and Jack Brisco.