Mike McCallum


Michael McKenzie McCallum was a Jamaican professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1997. He held world championships in three weight classes, including the World Boxing Association super welterweight title from 1984 to 1988, the WBA middleweight title from 1989 to 1991, and the World Boxing Council 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."
McCallum died in Las Vegas on 31 May 2025, at the age of 68.

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 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.
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 had 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
55LossJames ToneyUD1222 Feb 1997Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, USFor vacant WBU cruiserweight title
54Loss49–4–1Roy Jones Jr.UD1222 Nov 1996Ice Palace, Tampa, Florida, USFor vacant WBC interim light heavyweight title
53Win49–3–1Ali SaidiUD1022 Jun 1996Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany
52Loss48–3–1Fabrice TiozzoUD1216 Jun 1995Palais des Sports de Gerland, Lyon, FranceLost WBC light heavyweight title
51Win48–2–1Carl JonesTKO7, 1:1725 Feb 1995London Arena, London, EnglandRetained WBC light heavyweight title
50Win47–2–1Jeff HardingUD1223 Jul 1994Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, USWon WBC light heavyweight title
49Win46–2–1Randall YonkerTKO5, 2:554 Mar 1994MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, USWon vacant WBC interim light heavyweight title
48Win45–2–1Glenn Thomas1014 Aug 1993Labatt's Apollo, London, England
47Win44–2–1Ramzi HassanUD1025 Mar 1993Amiens, France
46Loss43–2–1James Toney1229 Aug 1992Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, USFor IBF middleweight title
45Win43–1–1Fermin ChirinoUD1021 May 1992Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US
44Draw42–1–1James Toney1213 Dec 1991Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USFor IBF middleweight title
43Win42–1Nicky WalkerRTD5, 3:0010 Oct 1991Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US
42Win41–1Carlos CruzatUD1029 Aug 1991Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno, Nevada, US
41Win40–1Sumbu KalambaySD121 Apr 1991Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, MonacoRetained WBA middleweight title
40Win39–1Frank MintonTKO4, 1:2119 Feb 1991Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, US
39Win38–1Michael WatsonKO11, 2:2214 Apr 1990Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandRetained WBA middleweight title
38Win37–1Steve CollinsUD123 Feb 1990Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USRetained WBA middleweight title
37Win36–1Herol Graham1210 May 1989Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandWon vacant WBA middleweight title
36Win35–1Ralph MoncriefTKO59 Jan 1989Nogent-le-Phaye, France
35Win34–1Randy SmithUD1022 Dec 1988Vincennes, France
34Win33–1David McCluskeyTKO2, 2:2427 Jun 1988Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
33Loss32–1Sumbu KalambayUD125 Mar 1988Palazzo dello Sport, Pesaro, ItalyFor WBA middleweight title
32Win32–0Donald CurryKO5, 1:1418 Jul 1987Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, USRetained WBA super welterweight title
31Win31–0Milton McCroryTKO10, 2:2019 Apr 1987Pointe Resort, Phoenix, Arizona, USRetained WBA super welterweight title
30Win30–0Leroy HesterKO1, 1:3021 Mar 1987National Arena, Kingston, Jamaica
29Win29–0Said SkoumaTKO9, 2:2525 Oct 1986Le Zénith, Paris, FranceRetained WBA super welterweight title
28Win28–0Irving HinesTKO4 15 Sep 1986Paris, France
27Win27–0Julian JacksonTKO2, 2:0323 Aug 1986Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USRetained WBA super welterweight title
26Win26–0Jimmy ShaversTKO62 May 1986Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
25Win25–0David BraxtonTKO8, 2:2628 Jul 1985Tamiami Park Auditorium, Miami, Florida, USRetained WBA super welterweight title
24Win24–0Marcos MartinezTKO2 15 Jun 1985Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, US
23Win23–0Luigi MinchilloTKO13 1 Dec 1984Palasport di San Siro, Milan, ItalyRetained WBA super welterweight title
22Win22–0Sean MannionUD1519 Oct 1984Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USWon vacant WBA super welterweight title
21Win21–0Hasim RazzaqKO1, 0:4810 Mar 1984Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, US
20Win20–0Manuel JiminezUD1025 Oct 1983Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
19Win19–0Jose VallejoTKO6 31 Aug 1983Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
18Win18–0Tony SueroTKO3 26 Apr 1983Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
17Win17–0Ayub Kalule7, 3:0013 Nov 1982Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
16Win16–0Carlos BetancourtTKO3 22 Oct 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
15Win15–0Kevin Perry1011 Jun 1982Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
14Win14–0Reggie FordTKO4 30 Apr 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
13Win13–0Gilberto AlmonteKO1, 1:0626 Mar 1982Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica
12Win12–0Greg YoungTKO5, 0:2922 Jan 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
11Win11–0Jimmy HeairTKO2 8 Oct 1981Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, US
10Win10–0Ed HarrisKO1 8 Sep 1981Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, US
9Win9–0Tirso RoqueKO3 27 Aug 1981Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, US
8Win8–0Bruce StraussTKO319 Jul 1981Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, US
7Win7–0Freddie CreechKO310 Jun 1981Tampa, Florida, US
6Win6–0Charles SmithKO330 Apr 1981Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, US
5Win5–0Danny Chapman4, 2:0924 Apr 1981Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
4Win4–0Shelby WilkersonKO52 Apr 1981Tampa, Florida, US
3Win3–0Ricky SheppardKO519 Mar 1981Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, US
2Win2–0Rocky FabrizioKO13 Mar 1981Tampa, Florida, US
1Win1–0Rigoberto Lopez4 14 Jan 1981Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, US