Jamaican boxing legend Mike McCallum died at the age of 68.
McCallum died on Saturday in Las Vegas, according to the Clark Coroner’s office, but no details were disclosed.
Known as “The Bodysnatcher”, McCallum was one of the most terrified boxing punchers during his career, which lasted in 1981–1997. He retired in 1997 with a record of 49-5-1, and then he was a successful coach in Las Vegas.
Born in Kingston in Jamaica, on December 7, 1956, McCallum represented Jamaica at the Summer Olympic Games in 1976. He turned to a professional in 1981 and won his first 32 fights, and 29 came through a knockout. McCallum became the first world -born world champion in 1984, won world titles in the junior medium weight, medium weight and lightweight, and was introduced to the International Gallery of Sław in boxes in 2003.
“It was with complete and complete sadness that I learned about the death of a three-time boxing master in Jamaica Michael McKenzie McCallum,” said Sport Minister Jamaica Olivia Grange. “I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sport I will take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaica.”
McCallum was worshiped for the brutal blow of the body, but he was also recognized as a highly qualified boxer with an amazing chin, as evidenced by the never knocked out in his 55 career. While McCallum wins over Julian Jackson, Donald Curry and McCrory, he was never able to fight the thunderous opponent, because Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns did not decide to face him.
After winning the WBA Super Welter Wich, beating Sean Mannion in 1984, McCallum created six successful defense of the title, and all this comes. In 1988 he suffered his first loss in his career when he challenged the challenge of WBA Middle Wweight in 1988. But McCallum would ultimately won the free average title in the following year, beating Herola Graham because of a divided decision. Later he avenged a loss with Kalambay before he fought the companion of Hall of Fames James Toney divided in 1991 and lost his decision in the 1992 rematch.
McCallum won the title of world champion in the third weight class at the age of 37, when he defeated Jeff Harding in 1994. He would do one defense of the title before he lost three of the four four fights, and two of these losses came to Toney and Roy Jones Jr. After passing, McCallum was a lasting element in Las Vegas.