Requiem for a Jamaican Champion- Walk Good Mike McCallum OD

Mike McCallum - The Body Snatcher

The CVM TV post flashed across my Facebook page at around 8pm yesterday. It said simply "Mike McCallum is dead. More later."

I was (in a word) Shocked in disbelief. I put aside the manuscript I was working on and quickly searched the internet for more information. Nothing.

As bad as CVM can be, I would not doubt their report. Michael McKenzie McCallum was born in Kingston, Jamaica on December 7, 1956. He was a major figure in the sport of Boxing. In fact, he was one of the sports pillars in that golden era of boxing. His contribution was epic; not only because of his prowess inside the ring but also because of the stance he took outside the ring.

Defiance of the System

In an era dominated by promoters like King and Bob Arum, fighters who refused to play the game were often left out of lucrative events and unification bouts. McCallum was one of those few who refused to ride that train, much to the chagrin of those holding the reins of the sport, including his opponents, fans, in particular many sports writers at home and abroad. Despite being the WBA champion and undefeated at times, McCallum was often relegated to fight on undercards or forced to travel for hostile decisions (e.g., controversial loss to Sumbu Kalambay in Italy in March 1988). Body Snatcher

He was Nicknamed "The Body Snatcher" because of his relentless attacks on the bodies of his opponents, wearing them down with his sledgehammer like punches. Mike McCallum was a textbook boxing technician possessing a sharp jab, a granite chin, ring intelligence, and surgical bodywork.

His defensive skills and conditioning were top-tier, and he was nearly impossible to knock down, often outlasting flashier opponents with his discipline and grit.

Mike McCallum won World Titles Across Three Weight Divisions including the

WBA Super Welterweight Champion crown (1984–1988) First Jamaican World Boxing Champion

He was the first Jamaican to win a world boxing title when he took the vacant title by defeating the Irishman Sean Mannion. McCallum made six successful defenses, including a brutal knockout of the American Julian Jackson.

He took home the WBA Middleweight title by defeating Herol Graham and held that Championship belt from 1989–1991 with successful defense against multiple notable contenders.

He became WBC Light Heavyweight Champion (his third title in a third weight class after winning a tough contest against Australia's Jeff "Hit Man" Harding in July 1994, holding the title from 1994–1995. Enviable Boxing Record

McCallum's left the sport with a Ring Record of 55 Wins (36 by KO), 5 Losses, 1 Draw. He faced some of the best fighters of his generation, including James Toney, Donald Curry, Sumbu Kalambay, and Julian Jackson. In 2003 he was inducted into the

International Boxing Hall of Fame, cementing his place among boxing’s Elite.

In Jamaica, Mike McCallum served as a positive example not only for those in the sport but to Jamaicans from.all walks of life for his belief in self and his unwavering position on not selling out to big-monied interests. He was one of Jamaica’s greatest sportsmen and among the most technically gifted boxers of his era. His achievements speak to a remarkable career defined by excellence, perseverance, and quiet integrity: