Boxing Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Mike McCallum
Personal information
Real name: Mike McCallum
Nickname(s): Bodysnatcher
Nationality: Jamaican
Date of birth: (1956-12-07) 7 December 1956 (age 67)
Place of birth: Kingston, Jamaica
Personal Statistics
Boxing career information

Mike McCallum (born 7 December 1956 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a retired boxer. Nicknamed "The Body Snatcher" for his fierce body punching. McCallum won world titles in three weight classes.[1]

Amateur career[]

Mike McCallum
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Competitor for File:Flag of Jamaica.svg Jamaica
Pan American
Silver 1979 San Juan Welterweight
Commonwealth Games
Gold 1978 Edmonton Welterweight

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.
  • 1976 - Represented Jamaica as a welterweight at Montreal Olympic Games. Results were:
    • Defeated Damdinjav Bandi (Mongolia) points
    • Defeated Robert Dauer (Austria) points
    • Lost to Reinhard Skricek (West Germany) points
  • 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 - Welterweight Gold Medalist at Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada.
  • 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.[1]

Professional career[]

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 light middleweight title. McCallum would defend that title six times, winning all six fights by knock out.

His first prominent opponent was future world champion and Julian Jackson, who 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.[2]

McCallum really came to prominence when he knocked out former WBC welterweight title holder Milton McCrory and former Undisputed welterweight champion 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.[3]

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 close decision to win the now-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 won both fights.[4]

McCallum moved up in weight again and won the WBC light heavyweight 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 in the cruiserweight division.

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 trainer. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.[5]

Professional boxing record[]

49 Wins (36 knockouts, 13 decisions), 5 Losses (0 knockouts, 5 decisions), 1 Draw [2]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 53–3–2 United States James "Lights Out" Toney UD 12 22/02/1997 File:Flag of Connecticut.svg Uncasville, Connecticut, United States WBU World Cruiserweight Title. 113-115, 111-117, 113-115.
Loss 33–0 United States Roy Jones, Jr. UD 12 22/11/1996 File:Flag of Florida.svg Tampa, Florida, United States WBC World Light Heavyweight Title. 107-120, 107-120, 107-120.
Win 12–4–4 Germany Ali Saidi UD 10 22/06/1996 Germany Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Loss 31–1 File:Flag of France.svg Fabrice Tiozzo UD 12 16/06/1995 File:Flag of France.svg Lyon, Rhone, France WBC World Light Heavyweight Title. 112-115, 112-116, 112-116.
Win 22–4–4 United States Carl "The Truth" Jones TKO 7 25/02/1995 United Kingdom Millwall, London, United Kingdom WBC World Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 1:17 of the seventh round.
Win 23–1 File:Flag of Australia.svg Jeff "Hit Man" Harding UD 12 23/07/1994 File:Flag of North Dakota.svg Bismarck, North Dakota, United States WBC World Light Heavyweight Title. 116-112, 115-114, 115-113.
Win 29–2 United States Randall "Kid Galahad" Yonker TKO 5 04/03/1994 File:Flag of Nevada.svg Las Vegas, Nevada, United States WBC World Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:55 of the fifth round.
Win 24–2 United States Glenn "Promise" Thomas UD 10 14/08/1993 United Kingdom Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom
Win 34–9 File:Flag of Jordan.svg Ramzi Hassan UD 10 25/03/1993 File:Flag of France.svg Amiens, Somme, France
Loss 31–0–2 United States James "Lights Out" Toney MD 12 29/08/1992 File:Flag of Nevada.svg Reno, Nevada, United States IBF World Middleweight Title. 110-117, 110-117, 114-114.
Win 12–6–2 File:Flag of Venezuela.svg Fermin Chirino UD 10 21/05/1992 File:Flag of Nevada.svg Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Draw 28–0–1 United States James "Lights Out" Toney PTS 12 13/12/1991 File:Flag of New Jersey.svg Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States IBF World Middleweight Title. 112-116, 114-114, 115-113.
Win 40–9–2 United States Nicky "Fire" Walker RTD 5 10/10/1991 File:Flag of Nevada.svg Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Walker retired at 3:00 of the fifth round.
Win 15–1 File:Flag of Chile.svg Carlos Cruzat UD 10 29/08/1991 File:Flag of Nevada.svg Reno, Nevada, United States 98-89, 97-91, 97-91.
Win 51–4–1 Italy Sumbu Kalambay SD 12 01/04/1991 File:Flag of Monaco.svg Monte Carlo, Monaco WBA World Middleweight Title. 116-114, 114-115, 116-115.
Win 22–11–1 United States Frank Minton TKO 4 19/02/1991 File:Flag of Missouri.svg Kansas City, Missouri, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:21 of the fourth round.
Win 22–1–1 United Kingdom Michael Watson KO 11 14/04/1990 United Kingdom Kensington, London, United Kingdom WBA World Middleweight Title. Watson knocked out at 2:22 of the 11th round.
Win 16–0 File:Flag of Ireland.svg Steve "Celtic Warrior" Collins UD 12 03/02/1990 File:Flag of Massachusetts.svg Boston, Massachusetts, United States WBA World Middleweight Title. 118-110, 117-111, 117-111.
Win 41–1 United Kingdom Herol "Bomber" Graham SD 12 10/05/1989 United Kingdom Kensington, London, United Kingdom WBA World Middleweight Title. 114-117, 117-115, 115-114.
Win 23–10 United States Ralph Moncrief TKO 5 09/01/1989 File:Flag of France.svg Nogent-le-Phaye, Eure-et-Loir, France
Win 18–14 United States Randy "Manster" Smith UD 10 22/12/1988 File:Flag of France.svg Vincennes, Val-de-Marne, France
Win 8–9–2 United States David McCluskey TKO 2 27/06/1988 File:Flag of New York.svg New York City, United States
Loss 43–3–1 Italy Sumbu Kalambay UD 12 05/03/1988 Italy Pesaro, Marche, Italy WBA World Middleweight Title. 115-116, 114-118, 114-115.
Win 27–1 United States Donald "Lone Star Cobra" Curry KO 5 18/07/1987 File:Flag of Nevada.svg Las Vegas, Nevada, United States WBA World Light Middleweight Title. Curry knocked out at 1:14 of the fifth round.
Win 31–1–1 United States Milton "Ice Man" McCrory TKO 10 19/04/1987 File:Flag of Arizona.svg Phoenix, Arizona, United States WBA World Light Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:20 of the tenth round.
Win 14–5 United Kingdom Leroy Hester KO 1 21/03/1987 File:Flag of Jamaica.svg Kingston, Jamaica Hester knocked out at 1:30 of the first round.
Win 21–2 File:Flag of France.svg Said Skouma TKO 9 25/10/1986 File:Flag of France.svg Paris, France WBA World Light Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:25 of the ninth round.
Win 14–10–1 United States Irving "Suitcase" Hines TKO 4 15/09/1986 File:Flag of France.svg Paris, France
Win 29–0 File:Flag of the United States Virgin Islands.svg Julian "Hawk" Jackson TKO 2 23/08/1986 File:Flag of Florida.svg Miami Beach, Florida, United States WBA World Light Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:03 of the second round.
Win 12–10 United States Jimmy Shavers TKO 6 02/05/1986 File:Flag of New Jersey.svg Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 35–1 United States David "Machine Gun" Braxton TKO 8 28/07/1985 File:Flag of Florida.svg Miami, Florida, United States WBA World Light Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:26 of the eighth round.
Win 0–3 "Ferdinand" Marcos Martinez TKO 2 15/06/1985 File:Flag of Nevada.svg Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 45–3 Italy Luigi Minchillo TKO 13 01/12/1984 Italy Milan, Lombardia, Italy WBA World Light Middleweight Title.
Win 29–5–1 File:Flag of Ireland.svg Sean Mannion UD 15 19/10/1984 File:Flag of New York.svg New York City, United States WBA World Light Middleweight Title. 149-136, 150-134, 149-133.
Win –– United States Hasim Razzaq KO 1 10/03/1984 File:Flag of Michigan.svg Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win 23–4 File:Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Manuel Jiminez UD 10 25/10/1983 File:Flag of New Jersey.svg Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 5–7 File:Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Jose Vallejo TKO 6 31/08/1983 File:Flag of New Jersey.svg Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 14–5–2 United States Tony Suero TKO 3 26/04/1983 File:Flag of New Jersey.svg Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 40–2 File:Flag of Uganda.svg Ayub Kalule RTD 7 13/11/1982 File:Flag of New Jersey.svg Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Kalule retired at 3:00 of the seventh round.
Win 12–5–1 File:Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Carlos "Cano" Betancourt TKO 3 22/10/1982 File:Flag of New York.svg New York City, United States
Win 6–1 United States Kevin Perry UD 10 11/06/1982 File:Flag of New York.svg New York City, United States
Win 10–7–1 File:Flag of Guyana.svg Reggie Ford TKO 4 30/04/1982 File:Flag of New York.svg New York City, United States
Win 0–4 File:Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Gilberto Almonte KO 1 26/03/1982 File:Flag of Jamaica.svg Kingston, Jamaica Almonte knocked out at 1:06 of the first round.
Win 13–3 United States Greg Young TKO 5 22/01/1982 File:Flag of New York.svg New York City, United States Referee stopped the bout at 0:29 of the fifth round.
Win 95–23–1 United States Jimmy Heair TKO 2 08/10/1981 File:Flag of Florida.svg Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 2–12 United States Ed "Hurricane" Harris KO 1 08/09/1981 File:Flag of Florida.svg Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 4–0 File:Flag of Cuba.svg Tirso Roque KO 3 27/08/1981 File:Flag of Florida.svg Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 47–21–2 United States Bruce "Mouse" Strauss TKO 3 19/07/1981 File:Flag of Ohio.svg Warren, Ohio, United States
Win 2–0–1 United States Freddie Creech KO 3 10/06/1981 File:Flag of Florida.svg Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 2–1–1 United States "Prince" Charles Smith KO 3 30/04/1981 File:Flag of Florida.svg Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 2–1 United States Danny "Thunderhand" Chapman TKO 4 24/04/1981 File:Flag of New York.svg New York City, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:09 of the fourth round.
Win 3–1 United States Shelby Wilkerson KO 5 02/04/1981 File:Flag of Florida.svg Tampa, Florida, United States
Win –– United States Ricky Sheppard KO 5 19/03/1981 File:Flag of Florida.svg Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 10–1–1 United States Rocky Fabrizio KO 1 03/03/1981 File:Flag of Florida.svg Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 0–1–2 United States Rigoberto Lopez KO 4 14/01/1981 File:Flag of Nevada.svg Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

See also[]

References[]

External links[]

Awards
Preceded by
Don Quarrie
Jamaica Sportsman of the Year
1978
Succeeded by
David Weller
Preceded by
Bertland Cameron
Jamaica Sportsman of the Year
1984–1987
Succeeded by
Jeff Dujon
Preceded by
Jeff Dujon
Jamaica Sportsman of the Year
1989–1990
Succeeded by
Patrick Patterson
Achievements
Preceded by
Roberto Durán
Stripped
WBA Light Middleweight Champion
19 Oct 1984 – 1988
Vacates
Succeeded by
Julian Jackson
Preceded by
Sumbu Kalambay
Stripped
WBA Middleweight Champion
10 May 1989 – 1991
Stripped
Succeeded by
Reggie Johnson
Preceded by
N/A
Inaugaral title
WBC Light Heavyweight Interim Champion
4 March 1994 – 23 July 1994
Unified
Vacant
Title next held by
Roy Jones, Jr.
Preceded by
Jeff Harding
WBC Light Heavyweight Champion
23 July 1994 – 16 June 1995
Succeeded by
Fabrice Tiozzo
Advertisement