Heavyweight Contender Jameel McCline Loses To Journeyman

In a Saturday night co-main event, February 4, 2012, the one-time WBA, WBO and IBF # 1 heavyweight contender Jameel McCline stepped into the ring in a comeback at Guilford Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina at age 41, but lost three battles: to old injuries, to journeyman Harold Sconiers, and to father time.

A seven bout card was promoted by Walter Johnson and B. Hairston Promotions.

McCline, who went unbeaten in 28 consecutive heavyweight bouts before being stopped in the tenth round of a WBO title bout with Wladimir Klitschko in Las Vegas in 2002, hit the end of the road ten years later. McCline, now 40-11-3, 24 kayos, West Palm Beach, Florida, standing 6′ 6″, lost the final round of an eight rounder and lost a majority decision to unheralded journeyman Harold Sconiers, now 18-23-2, Clearwater, Florida, a knockout victim in his last three bouts. Sconiers had not won a bout in over two years coming into this contest.

Perhaps McCline’s biggest mistake was looking for ‘one big shot’ rather than boxing. Indeed, McCline landed big power shot bombs in the fifth and seventh rounds and might have had a fair chance of knocking out Sconiers that way. But Sconiers had a heart and would not go, and courageously fought his way back into the bout whenever McCline hit him with the big stuff.

Sconiers was the aggressor from the beginning, landing jabs and moving side to side. McCline was too old to chase his younger opponent. And Sconiers, age 35, who lost 15 of 16 heavyweight bouts over a ten year period between 2000 and 2010, recognized McCline was just a shadow of his former self. Sconiers came forward and boxed for the win in the final round, guaranteeing himself more fights.

After an injury to his right kneecap near the end of the third round of a WBA heavyweight title clash with Nicolai Valuev in 2007, McCline’s only significant win was a decision over Mike Mollo in a WBC heavyweight eliminator in China, four years earlier. On this night, McCline’s career hit the rock bottom bitter end.

Result: Harold Sconiers Win Majority Decision 8 Jameel McCline, Heavyweights
Scoring: 76-76 Draw. 77-75, 77-75 Harold Sconiers.

Other Bouts On The Card
Scott Sigmon TKO 3 Jimmy Campbell, Super Middleweights
(Wins Vacant WBC USNBC Super Middleweight Title) Referee: Bill Clancy

Dave Fleming (Debut) Win 4 Kenneth Farr, Cruiserweights
Lisa Garland TKO 3 Rachel Tucker, Female Welterweights
Jarred LeBlanc Win 6 Kevin Carter, Welterweights
Max Alexander Win 5 Franklin Edmondson, Heavyweights
Elijah McCall Win 5 Corey Winfield, Heavyweights