Mike McCallum

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Michael McKenzie McCallum (7 December 1956 – 31 May 2025) was a Jamaican professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1997. He held world championships in three weight classes, including the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title from 1984 to 1988, the WBA middleweight title from 1989 to 1991, and the World Boxing Council (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."[1]

McCallum died in Las Vegas on 31 May 2025, at the age of 68.[2]

Amateur career

Claimed an amateur record of 240–10

  • 1974 – Competed as a welterweight in the World Championships in Havana, losing by a 3rd-round TKO to Clint Jackson of the United States.
  • 1974 – Won welterweight silver medal at the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games.
  • 1975 – Represented Jamaica at the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City.
  • 1976 – Represented Jamaica as a welterweight at Montreal Olympic Games. Results were:
  • 1977 – National AAU Welterweight Champion, defeating Marlon Starling in semifinals and Roger Leonard of the Air Force in the final.
  • 1977 – National Golden Gloves Welterweight Champion
  • 1978 – Won welterweight gold medal at the 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games.
  • 1978 – Welterweight Gold Medalist at Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada.
  • 1978 – Won welterweight gold medal at the 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games.
  • 1979 – National Golden Gloves Welterweight Champion, defeating Doug DeWitt and Robbie Sims.
  • 1979 – Welterweight Silver Medalist at Pan-American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Results were:
    • Defeated Claudio Pereira (Brazil)
    • Defeated Edward Green (United States) TKO 2
    • Defeated Javier Colin (Mexico) TKO
    • Lost to Andrés Aldama (Cuba) KO by 2
  • 1979 – National Golden Gloves Welterweight Champion.
  • 1980 – Lost to Alex Ramos in New York Golden Gloves.[3]

Professional career

Light middleweight

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". 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 knockout.

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.[4]

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.[5]

Middleweight

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". 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[6] to win the then-vacant WBA middleweight title (which had been stripped from Kalambay for signing to face IBF champion Michael Nunn). 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 had won both fights.[7]

Light heavyweight

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". 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 (36 knockouts). 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.[8]

Professional boxing record

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No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
55 Loss 49–5–1 James Toney UD 12 22 Feb 1997 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For vacant WBU cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
54 Loss 49–4–1 Roy Jones Jr. UD 12 22 Nov 1996 Ice Palace, Tampa, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For vacant WBC interim light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
53 Win 49–3–1 Ali Saidi UD 10 22 Jun 1996 Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, GermanyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
52 Loss 48–3–1 Fabrice Tiozzo UD 12 16 Jun 1995 Palais des Sports de Gerland, Lyon, FranceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost WBC light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
51 Win 48–2–1 Carl Jones TKO 7 (12), 1:17Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 25 Feb 1995 London Arena, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBC light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
50 Win 47–2–1 Jeff Harding UD 12 23 Jul 1994 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won WBC light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
49 Win 46–2–1 Randall Yonker TKO 5 (12), 2:55Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4 Mar 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won vacant WBC interim light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
48 Win 45–2–1 Glenn Thomas PTS 10 14 Aug 1993 Labatt's Apollo, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
47 Win 44–2–1 Ramzi Hassan UD 10 25 Mar 1993 Amiens, FranceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
46 Loss 43–2–1 James Toney MD 12 29 Aug 1992 Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For IBF middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
45 Win 43–1–1 Fermin Chirino UD 10 21 May 1992 Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
44 Template:DrawDraw 42–1–1 James Toney SD 12 13 Dec 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For IBF middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
43 Win 42–1 Nicky Walker RTD 5 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 Oct 1991 Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
42 Win 41–1 Carlos Cruzat UD 10 29 Aug 1991 Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
41 Win 40–1 Sumbu Kalambay SD 12 1 Apr 1991 Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, MonacoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
40 Win 39–1 Frank Minton TKO 4 (10), 1:21Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 19 Feb 1991 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
39 Win 38–1 Michael Watson KO 11 (12), 2:22Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 14 Apr 1990 Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
38 Win 37–1 Steve Collins UD 12 3 Feb 1990 Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
37 Win 36–1 Herol Graham SD 12 10 May 1989 Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won vacant WBA middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
36 Win 35–1 Ralph Moncrief TKO 5 9 Jan 1989 Nogent-le-Phaye, FranceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
35 Win 34–1 Randy Smith UD 10 22 Dec 1988 Vincennes, FranceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
34 Win 33–1 David McCluskey TKO 2 (10), 2:24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 27 Jun 1988 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
33 Loss 32–1 Sumbu Kalambay UD 12 5 Mar 1988 Palazzo dello Sport, Pesaro, ItalyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBA middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
32 Win 32–0 Donald Curry KO 5 (15), 1:14Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 18 Jul 1987 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA super welterweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
31 Win 31–0 Milton McCrory TKO 10 (15), 2:20Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 19 Apr 1987 Pointe Resort, Phoenix, Arizona, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA super welterweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
30 Win 30–0 Leroy Hester KO 1 (10), 1:30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 21 Mar 1987 National Arena, Kingston, JamaicaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
29 Win 29–0 Said Skouma TKO 9 (15), 2:25Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 25 Oct 1986 Le Zénith, Paris, FranceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA super welterweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
28 Win 28–0 Irving Hines TKO 4 (10) 15 Sep 1986 Paris, FranceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
27 Win 27–0 Julian Jackson TKO 2 (15), 2:03Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 23 Aug 1986 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA super welterweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
26 Win 26–0 Jimmy Shavers TKO 6 2 May 1986 Atlantic City, New Jersey, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
25 Win 25–0 David Braxton TKO 8 (15), 2:26Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 28 Jul 1985 Tamiami Park Auditorium, Miami, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA super welterweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
24 Win 24–0 Marcos Martinez TKO 2 (10) 15 Jun 1985 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
23 Win 23–0 Luigi Minchillo TKO 13 (15) 1 Dec 1984 Palasport di San Siro, Milan, ItalyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA super welterweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
22 Win 22–0 Sean Mannion UD 15 19 Oct 1984 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won vacant WBA super welterweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
21 Win 21–0 Hasim Razzaq KO 1 (10), 0:48Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 Mar 1984 Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
20 Win 20–0 Manuel Jiminez UD 10 25 Oct 1983 Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
19 Win 19–0 Jose Vallejo TKO 6 (10) 31 Aug 1983 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
18 Win 18–0 Tony Suero TKO 3 (10) 26 Apr 1983 Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
17 Win 17–0 Ayub Kalule RTD 7 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 13 Nov 1982 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
16 Win 16–0 Carlos Betancourt TKO 3 (10) 22 Oct 1982 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
15 Win 15–0 Kevin Perry UD 10 11 Jun 1982 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
14 Win 14–0 Reggie Ford TKO 4 (10) 30 Apr 1982 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
13 Win 13–0 Gilberto Almonte KO 1 (10), 1:06Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 26 Mar 1982 Hotel, Kingston, JamaicaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
12 Win 12–0 Greg Young TKO 5 (10), 0:29Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 22 Jan 1982 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
11 Win 11–0 Jimmy Heair TKO 2 (10) 8 Oct 1981 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
10 Win 10–0 Ed Harris KO 1 (8) 8 Sep 1981 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
9 Win 9–0 Tirso Roque KO 3 (8) 27 Aug 1981 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
8 Win 8–0 Bruce Strauss TKO 3 19 Jul 1981 Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
7 Win 7–0 Freddie Creech KO 3 10 Jun 1981 Tampa, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6 Win 6–0 Charles Smith KO 3 30 Apr 1981 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
5 Win 5–0 Danny Chapman TKO 4 (4), 2:09Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 24 Apr 1981 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
4 Win 4–0 Shelby Wilkerson KO 5 2 Apr 1981 Tampa, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
3 Win 3–0 Ricky Sheppard KO 5 19 Mar 1981 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2 Win 2–0 Rocky Fabrizio KO 1 3 Mar 1981 Tampa, Florida, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1 Win 1–0 Rigoberto Lopez KO 4 (6) 14 Jan 1981 Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

Interim world titles

See also

References

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External links

Template:S-textTemplate:S-text
Sporting positions

Template:S-text

Previous:
Clinton Jackson 		U.S. Golden Gloves
welterweight champion
1977 Template:S-ttl/check 		Next:
Jeff Stoudemire
U.S. welterweight champion
1977 Template:S-ttl/check 		Next:
Roger Leonard
Previous:
Jeff Stoudemire 		U.S. Golden Gloves
welterweight champion
1979 Template:S-ttl/check 		Next:
Donald Curry
Vacant
Title last held by
Roberto Durán 		WBA super welterweight champion
19 October 1984 – August 1987
Vacated Template:S-ttl/check 		Vacant
Title next held by
Julian Jackson
Vacant
Title last held by
Sumbu Kalambay 		WBA middleweight champion
10 May 1989 – 4 December 1991
Stripped Template:S-ttl/check 		Vacant
Title next held by
Reggie Johnson
New title WBC light heavyweight champion
Interim title
4 March 1994 – 23 July 1994
Won full title Template:S-ttl/check 		Vacant
Title next held by
Roy Jones Jr.
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check WBC light heavyweight champion
23 July 1994 – 16 June 1995 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Latest born world champion to die
May 31, 2025 – present Template:S-ttl/check 		Incumbent

Template:Jamaican Sportsman of the Year Script error: No such module "Navbox".

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