Third post down, HTML is working.
Well if the HTML would show up....we'd have a nice thread.
Mike McCallum was one of the great fighters of his era. In this thread, we take a look at the skills of "The Body Snatcher." What made McCallum a top-notcher were many things, including the fact that he was an outstanding technical boxer who could fight in the trenches to excellent effect.
Equipped with a granite chin (he was never kayoed, and I think only floored once or twice), he competed into his early forties, locking horns with the likes of Julian Jackson, Michael Watson, James Toney three times, and gave Roy Jones a respectable go when he was least 39.
McCallum came onto the scene in the mid 1980s but was considered too dangerous and too obscure a name for the likes of Leonard, Hearns, Hagler and Duran. At his best (at 154 pounds) he was a master technician with a good punch, great timing, amazing endurance, resilience, and inspiring skill.
Here we take a look at his bout with Julian Jackson. "The Hawk" was probably the hardest hitter at 154 lbs. in his or any other era, and McCallum's composure in this fight is awesome.
In his first fight with a very young, and very talented James Toney, McCallum held strong to get a controversial draw in a bout most thought Toney won. It's probably my favorite two-way display of technical fighting ever. Tons of shoulder rolling, feints, fighting from all ranges, and just great technique. In in the final round, Toney unloads the kitchen sink and McCallum shows his amazing chin.
The quintessential McCallum bout -- against Donald Curry. Curry, who'd gained top pound for pound honors with the seeming retirement of Ray Leonard, was the heir apparent and looked great in the first four rounds, rocking McCallum and boxing a perfect match. He made one mistake, and BOOM. McCallum blew him out with this gorgeous left hook.
Against Michael Watson, McCallum went to England to take on a decent young contender in front of a hostile crowd. This is another textbook McCallum job...beating a younger guy down, taking him apart piece-by-piece, and applying consistent pressure en route to a stoppage.
Finally, a tribute video to McCallum's greatest hits.
I once interviewed McCallum, circa 2003, and he had a great attitude despite not getting a Hearns, Leonard or Hagler to face him. He told me the hardest hitter he faced was Julian Jackson and that he believed that beating Roger Leonard in the amateurs (Ray's brother, who was apparently a pretty good amateur) was one reason why Ray wouldn't face him.
McCallum was a great fighter and a master crafstman and I just wanted to share this with the UG. Thanks.
TTT for the bodysnatcher.
Thanks Chappie!
The body snatcher was a great fighter. Thanks for the post.
His fight against curry was epic, imo. It was the reason I started to follow boxing, how one punch could change a fight.
First off Id like to say that McCallum was a wonderful fighter!! TTT for The Bodysnatcher!!!!!
Jase, how about adding Steve Collins to the list of notables that he beat? Collins fought McCallum to a 12 rd decision, after only 16 pro fights. McCallum went on to say that no amount of money is worth a rematch with Collins. Lol!!
Collins was no fun task for anyone.
True, good point Bodybag. Stevie is easily overlooked, and a solid fighter from that era.