Growing up as a boxing fan in the 1980's, in many ways 'the Four Kings' (the legendary quartet of Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, and Roberto Duran) defined this decade for me. But there was another boxer who unfortunately not only lived in their considerable shadows, but worse than that, never received the opportunity to get inside the ring with them.
Mike McCallum.
I can honestly say he was one of my favorite fighters when he became a familiar face featured on ABC, NBC, CBS and the occasional HBO appearance. McCallum seemed like a decent guy, and he always seemed to be in good fights. What was not to like?
Better known as 'the Bodysnatcher', the two-fisted craftsman from Jamaica, never truly became a star. He was the type of guy who never received full recognition from the public, but earned the everlasting respect of those in the business.
One of them happens to be International Boxing Hall-of-Famer, Brad Goodman.
It turns out that he was more than just a fan, he struck up an unlikely friendship with McCallum growing up in Queens, New York, as a young boxing aficionado.
Goodman, who for years has worked for Top Rank as a matchmaker, told SNAC.com, "It's funny, thinking about it now, I don't even remember how we met. But I remember watching some of his fights and I became very friendly with him. I even went out to the fight when he fought Julian Jackson, and he remembered me from going over to the gym there when he was training."
"We just hit it off since then. Even till this day we keep in touch. When he was a champion and living in Brooklyn, I would always go to his house. I'd make tapes of his opponents he'd be fighting and stuff. So we built a decent relationship."
Goodman chuckles at the memory of going over to McCallum's in Brooklyn's, ''roughest area'' and getting strange looks from the neighbors as the champion had to go down and vouch for him. According to him, despite his championship credentials, McCallum lived modestly. McCallum began his pro career fighting mostly in Florida in 1981.
McCallum won the WBA junior middleweight title by defeating Sean Mannion in October of 1984. He then became a middleweight titlist, and held a belt at light heavyweight. He walked away from the ring in 1987 after consecutive losses to Roy Jones and James Toney with a record of 49-5-1 (36 KOs). During this span, he notched victories over the likes of Jackson, Milton McCrory, Donald Curry, Herol Graham, Steve Collins, Michael Watson, Sumbu Kalambay (with whom he split a pair of decisions). He also engaged in a memorable two-fight series with a prime Toney.
It's certainly an impressive resume. But that alone doesn't begin to tell McCallum's story. Since he didn't have the star power or recognition of the aforementioned 'Kings', McCallum had to travel to foreign lands and fight in opponents' backyards. He was the perpetual B-side despite being a world champion. And without a network deal with say an HBO, he appeared on more networks than 'Brady Bunch' reruns.
Respect was hard earned for this guy, and the adulation that was given to his colleagues often eluded him.
"I don't think they really ever appreciated him because he wasn't real flamboyant. He was one of those guys who kept his mouth shut, and did his talking in the ring," stated Goodman. "And it's unfortunate because to me, when I tell our young fighters of today, 'Who is your favorite fighter?' They don't go as far back when McCallum was fighting. Then when I would send them videos -- they would be in shock."
Brad Goodman
McCallum was a fighter who didn't necessarily dazzle you in short viewings. But over the long haul, you appreciated the way he would skillfully break opponents down with his trademark body attack. He would strike downstairs with chopping right hands, and well-placed left hooks. All the while staying right in front of his foes and utilizing deft head movement to avoid oncoming leather. Just as importantly, he had a stout chin.
Perhaps he didn't play to huge live audiences back then, but today there are hordes of videos on YouTube that pay tribute to his skill. If the likes of 'Sugar Ray' were Janet Jackson, McCallum was this generation's Anita Baker.
Mike McCallum - The Body Snatcher
While there have been many big names who have boxed at junior middleweight, most have used it as a stopover between welterweight and middleweight. But it's McCallum who truly made it his domain. There is a strong argument that he's the best ever at '54.
"I agree," said Goodman, "and I'm glad you could see that because not a lot of people see it. They get blinded by the Felix Trinidads, and the Terry Norris', and Fernando Vargas'. Those guys that did a lot of things outside of the ring. He was just a true professional that just did what he had to do."
The only thing that could really hinder his progress was the politics of the sport, and the business of boxing. While boxing for Kronk and Emanuel Steward, despite his position atop the WBA rankings, a shot at Duran, was given to his more popular stablemate. Bottom line was that Hearns was a much bigger name, and therefore a much more lucrative promotion for everyone involved.
This led to a bitter split with Steward, who for years claimed that he was told that Duran under no circumstance would fight McCallum. But he later got a form of revenge as he scored victories over David Braxton and then McCrory, who were both affiliated with Kronk. Goodman states, "If he would've beaten Duran that night, I think people would've taken notice of (McCallum) sooner in the fight game."
Mike MCcallum. THE UNKNOWN CHAMPION.
As for a grudge match with 'the Hit Man', with whom he had sparred many times before, "Hearns never wanted to fight him,'' stated Goodman.
Sometimes a career is defined by who you beat. And others are defined by who you never got to face. For McCallum, it's a lot of both. But when it was all said and done, McCallum was an easy selection for the International Boxing Hall-of-Fame, which inducted him in 2003. A fitting end to an accomplished -- but oftentimes frustrating -- career.
"He never truly got what he really deserved," said Goodman.
