Mike McCallum


Mike McCallum is a Jamaican former professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1997. He held world championships in three weight classes, including the WBA super welterweight title from 1984 to 1988, the WBA middleweight title from 1989 to 1991, and the WBC light heavyweight title from 1994 to 1995.
A slick, hard-hitting technician in the ring, McCallum was known for his exceptionally durable chin and toughness, and was never stopped in any of his five losses. He earned his nickname of "The Bodysnatcher" due to his ability to land vicious body punches in fights. McCallum was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2011, The Ring magazine ranked him as eighth on their list of the "10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years."

Amateur career

Claimed an amateur record of 240–10

Light middleweight

Mike McCallum turned professional in 1981. As a professional, he fought almost exclusively in the USA. He first became a world champion in 1984 by defeating Sean Mannion to win the vacant WBA super welterweight title. McCallum would defend that title six times, winning all six fights by knock out.
His first prominent opponent was future two-weight world champion and future fellow International Boxing Hall of Fame member Julian Jackson, whom McCallum fought in his third title defense. McCallum survived some punishment in the first round and came back to stop the undefeated Jackson in the second round.
McCallum really came to prominence when he knocked out former WBC welterweight title-holder Milton McCrory and former undisputed world welterweight champion, another future International Boxing Hall of Fame member, Donald Curry in 1987. Curry was ahead on all three scorecards going into the fifth round when McCallum knocked him out with what some have called a "perfect" left hook.

Middleweight

In 1988, he moved up to middleweight, suffering his first defeat, a clear unanimous decision, in an attempt to win the WBA middleweight championship from Sumbu Kalambay. In 1989, McCallum defeated Herol Graham by a split decision to win the then-vacant WBA middleweight title. He defended the title three times, defeating Steve Collins, Michael Watson, and Kalambay in a rematch.
McCallum fought IBF middleweight champion James Toney in 1991. McCallum was stripped of the WBA title before the bout. The fight ended in a draw, and McCallum lost the second fight by a controversial majority decision the following year. Some felt that McCallum won both fights.

Light heavyweight

McCallum then moved up two weight divisions and won the WBC interim light heavyweight title against Randall Yonker, then won the full WBC title by outpointing Jeff Harding in 1994. Being in his late thirties, he did not hold the crown long, losing the title to Fabrice Tiozzo. At 40 years of age, he attempted to regain the vacant Interim WBC title against Roy Jones Jr in December 1996, but lost by a wide decision.
In his last fight, McCallum lost a rubber match to James Toney via a unanimous decision in a cruiserweight bout.
McCallum had a professional record of 49-5-1. He was never knocked out as a professional. After McCallum retired, he moved to Las Vegas and became a trainer. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
55Loss49–5–1 James ToneyUD1222 Feb 1997 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, USFor vacant WBU cruiserweight title
54Loss49–4–1 Roy Jones Jr.UD1222 Nov 1996 Ice Palace, Tampa, Florida, USFor vacant WBC interim light heavyweight title
53Win49–3–1 Ali SaidiUD1022 Jun 1996 Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany
52Loss48–3–1 Fabrice TiozzoUD1216 Jun 1995 Palais des Sports de Gerland, Lyon, FranceLost WBC light heavyweight title
51Win48–2–1 Carl JonesTKO7, 1:1725 Feb 1995 London Arena, London, EnglandRetained WBC light heavyweight title
50Win47–2–1 Jeff HardingUD1223 Jul 1994 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, USWon WBC light heavyweight title
49Win46–2–1 Randall YonkerTKO5, 2:554 Mar 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, USWon vacant WBC interim light heavyweight title
48Win45–2–1 Glenn Thomas1014 Aug 1993 Labatt's Apollo, London, England
47Win44–2–1 Ramzi HassanUD1025 Mar 1993 Amiens, France
46Loss43–2–1 James Toney1229 Aug 1992 Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, USFor IBF and lineal middleweight titles
45Win43–1–1 Fermin ChirinoUD1021 May 1992 Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US
44Draw42–1–1 James Toney1213 Dec 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USFor IBF and lineal middleweight titles
43Win42–1 Nicky WalkerRTD5, 3:0010 Oct 1991 Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US
42Win41–1 Carlos CruzatUD1029 Aug 1991 Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno, Nevada, US
41Win40–1 Sumbu KalambaySD121 Apr 1991 Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, MonacoRetained WBA middleweight title
40Win39–1 Frank MintonTKO4, 1:2119 Feb 1991 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, US
39Win38–1 Michael WatsonKO11, 2:2214 Apr 1990 Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandRetained WBA middleweight title
38Win37–1 Steve CollinsUD123 Feb 1990 Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained WBA middleweight title
37Win36–1 Herol Graham1210 May 1989 Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandWon vacant WBA middleweight title
36Win35–1 Ralph MoncriefTKO59 Jan 1989 Nogent-le-Phaye, France
35Win34–1 Randy SmithUD1022 Dec 1988 Vincennes, France
34Win33–1 David McCluskeyTKO2, 2:2427 Jun 1988 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
33Loss32–1 Sumbu KalambayUD125 Mar 1988 Palazzo dello Sport, Pesaro, ItalyFor WBA middleweight title
32Win32–0 Donald CurryKO5, 1:1418 Jul 1987 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, USRetained WBA super welterweight title
31Win31–0 Milton McCroryTKO10, 2:2019 Apr 1987 Pointe Resort, Phoenix, Arizona, USRetained WBA super welterweight title
30Win30–0 Leroy HesterKO1, 1:3021 Mar 1987 National Arena, Kingston, Jamaica
29Win29–0 Said SkoumaTKO9, 2:2525 Oct 1986 Le Zénith, Paris, FranceRetained WBA super welterweight title
28Win28–0 Irving HinesTKO4 15 Sep 1986 Paris, France
27Win27–0 Julian JacksonTKO2, 2:0323 Aug 1986 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USRetained WBA super welterweight title
26Win26–0 Jimmy ShaversTKO62 May 1986 Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
25Win25–0 David BraxtonTKO8, 2:2628 Jul 1985 Tamiami Park Auditorium, Miami, Florida, USRetained WBA super welterweight title
24Win24–0 Marcos MartinezTKO2 15 Jun 1985 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, US
23Win23–0 Luigi MinchilloTKO13 1 Dec 1984 Palasport di San Siro, Milan, ItalyRetained WBA super welterweight title
22Win22–0 Sean MannionUD1519 Oct 1984 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USWon vacant WBA super welterweight title
21Win21–0 Hasim RazzaqKO1, 0:4810 Mar 1984 Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, US
20Win20–0 Manuel JiminezUD1025 Oct 1983 Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
19Win19–0 Jose VallejoTKO6 31 Aug 1983 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
18Win18–0 Tony SueroTKO3 26 Apr 1983 Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
17Win17–0 Ayub Kalule7, 3:0013 Nov 1982 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
16Win16–0 Carlos BetancourtTKO3 22 Oct 1982 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
15Win15–0 Kevin Perry1011 Jun 1982 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
14Win14–0 Reggie FordTKO4 30 Apr 1982 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
13Win13–0 Gilberto AlmonteKO1, 1:0626 Mar 1982 Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica
12Win12–0 Greg YoungTKO5, 0:2922 Jan 1982 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
11Win11–0 Jimmy HeairTKO2 8 Oct 1981 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, US
10Win10–0 Ed HarrisKO1 8 Sep 1981 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, US
9Win9–0 Tirso RoqueKO3 27 Aug 1981 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, US
8Win8–0 Bruce StraussTKO319 Jul 1981 Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, US
7Win7–0 Freddie CreechKO310 Jun 1981 Tampa, Florida, US
6Win6–0 "Prince" Charles SmithKO330 Apr 1981 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, US
5Win5–0 Danny Chapman4, 2:0924 Apr 1981 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
4Win4–0 Shelby WilkersonKO52 Apr 1981 Tampa, Florida, US
3Win3–0 Ricky SheppardKO519 Mar 1981 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, US
2Win2–0 Rocky FabrizioKO13 Mar 1981 Tampa, Florida, US
1Win1–0 Rigoberto Lopez4 14 Jan 1981 Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, US