2 months ago
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AFTER WINNING boxing titles across three weight divisions, in a career that spanned nearly 20 years, the late Jamaican hall of fame boxer, Mike ‘The Bodysnatcher’ McCallum, is being hailed by boxing aficianados as being not only the best Jamaica has produced, but that his achievements and performances will not be matched by any Jamaican for years to come.
McCallum, the Jamaican boxing legend and first from the island to hold a major world title, passed away on Saturday, after feeling ill on his way to a boxing gym in Las Vegas. He was 68 years old.
McCallum, who won the WBA light middleweight, the WBA middleweight and WBC light heavyweight crowns, was the standard-bearer for Jamaican boxers throughout the 1980s and ‘90s.
His amatuer career was just as impressive, winning gold at the CAC Games in 1978, and claiming the silver medal four years earlier.
He also won Gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1978, but finished with a silver at the Pan American Games a year later.
General secretary of the Jamaica Boxing Association (JaBA) Leroy Brown, who managed many of the Jamaican teams, of which McCallum was a member, said the boxer is the best Jamaica has produced.
“He was definitely the best world champion Jamaica has made. He was able to win some very good fights. Definitely the best world champion we have had. No ifs or doubts about it,” said Brown.
“He was definitely Jamaica’s top professional. He really was a superb orthodox boxer. Everything came off the jab. He would throw the jab and then hook to the body, both left and right.
“This was his trademark. At times he would just jab, hook, jab, hook, with the same hand. And at times he would give a jab, jab, then a left hook to the body and a right hook to the head.
“He perfected that combination punch. And he was one of the best orthodox boxers in the world. Without a doubt, Jamaica’s number-one world champion,” he added.
After losing the Pan Am title fight in 1979, McCallum was unable to participate in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, after he came down with a serious illness. He decided soon after to step into the professional ranks and Brown said he left an indelible mark.
He pointed to McCallum’s second-round knockout of fellow hall of famer Julian Jackson, as one of those moments that will forever be remembered.
McCallum, Brown pointed out was also the man behind one of the greatest comebacks of all time, when he floored Donald Curry in the fifth round of a fight the latter was ahead in on all three scorecards after four rounds in 1987.
“He had two knockouts. When he knocked out Julian Jackson and Curry. These were two of the biggest moments in his career.
“These were dangerous opponents and he knocked them out. His knockout over Curry is rated one of the best in boxing history and is still one of the highlights in boxing history,” Brown added.
Former, JABA executive and manager of the Stanley Couch gym in downtown, Kingston, Kingsley ‘Bunny’ Goodison, said McCallum was simply the best and that his exploits in the ring will not be matched by any Jamaican any time soon.
“Mike was the best thing Jamaica has produced. The best boxer Jamaica has produced. He went through the amatuer ranks with flying colours. No ifs or buts about it. A great youth,” Goodison commented.
“His confidence was everything. Everything about him instilled confidence. Very confident person.
“He was just great. Great. I don’t think anyone will surpass him. No Jamaican. Not in our lifetime will we see a Jamaican surpass that. He was just a great human being.”
Minister of sports, Olivia Grange, said McCallum’s passing was a sad moment for Jamaicans.
“It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica’s three-time world boxing champion Michael McKenzie McCallum.
“I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sports, I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican,” her comments read.
The World Boxing Association also paid tribute to the Jamaican, saying he was one of the best technical fighters of his time.
“Rest in Peace to the legendary Mike ‘The Bodysnatcher’ McCallum. Former WBA world champion and one of the most technically gifted fighters of his era. Thank you for the fights, the lessons, and the greatness.”
“Mike McCullum’s lessons in the art and science of pugilism in the ring, where his conquests as a professional boxer in the super welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight classes were inspiring, has provided young aspirants with a technical and classic script for success,” said Samuda
McCallum was inducted into the boxing hall of fame in 2003, after a total of 55 fights, which included 49 wins (36 by knockout), five losses, and one draw.
Jamaica Olympic Association president, Christopher Samuda, also paid tribute to McCallum, saying the standards he set in and out of the ring make for perfect examples to up and comers.
English (US) ·