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What are your memories of these two fighters? Steward said that Hearns wanted no part of McCallum and it was McCallum who was actually the best fighter in the Kronk Gym.. I think he's one of the most under-appreciated fighters of my time.
Same with Jones... This man was like a mini Tommy Hearns and in a mythical matchup against Pac at 122, I think pac would have got carried out on a stretcher.
What are our thoughts on these guys?
McCallum was a special fighter. The first time I saw him was when he drilled the aging Ayub Kalule the same day Ray Mancini killed Duk Koo Kim. He was already a devastating bodypuncher. The guys who tried to move? He'd just wear them down. If you stood in front of him? He was a big enough puncher to get you out of there. In maybe a year or so he drilled Julian Jackson, The Cobra and Milt McCrory IIRC. The Curry fight was a wonderful example of what McCallum could do. He had lost the first four rounds but had gotten to Curry's body a few times. Then in the fifth he threw a right to the body that only grazed the Cobra but it froze him for a split second and BANG, a left hook ends the fight.
I think it says a lot about McCallum that even as an old man he gave a young James Toney everything he could ask for and for 4-5 rounds stayed with a peak Roy Jones. Just a master of the sport. I've been lucky enough to meet McCallum when he showed up at our gym and helped train the younguns. A classier guy you'll not find.
I remember Poison as just a bad-ass. He would occasionally train at Gleason's when I worked out there and nobody messed with him. Very businesslike and thought of as a big puncher. This is in the early 1990's. It wasn't until later he became a name. Beating Canizales and MAB says the guy was no joke. The McKinney fight was great theater. If he had a flaw it was that he had a little Evander in him. He liked to mix it up more than he probably had to.
Two fighters who were a joy to watch. McCallum despite getting some recongition I feel is still underrated. I would of loved to see him and Terry Norris go at it.
To this day I have no idea how Jones was able to make 118. He was fucking huge for a Bantamweight. He had power, heart and possessed great skills. His chin wasn't granite. But it wasn't the glass it was made out to be. Jones Achilles heel was that damn stamina. He would boarder on damn near exhaustion if he didn't pace himself
I love both fighters watching Mike McCallum, break down an opponent with those body shots was a joy to watch. And Junior Jones vunerablility made him so exciting to watch, plus that jab and right hand what a combo.
Mike McCallum was not always exciting but was mothodical and a great fighter.
Jones was normally exciting to watch , but wasnt a great fighter.
I really got into McCallum after he beat Herol Graham my favourite fighter. I looked at his record of beating Jackson, McCrory and Curry. He battered Watson and got revenge on Sambu Kalambay. Mike left the kronk because he wanted Duran and the Kronk gym gave Duran to Hearn’s instead which annoyed Mike as he deserved the big fight.
I thought he beat Toney both times and was a joy to watch as he had it all jab, solid chin, and body work. Quality operator. He won the light heavy title too but was old and I think Roy Jones carried him in their fight.
I think that played a big part in John m Johnson loss in hindsight. Sitting in the sun and just wearing down. Johnson was a solid fighter as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Violent Demise
I liked watching Jones ride. He was a freak in build and as broad shouldered as a soild lightweight. The whole story, getting beat up by his sister ha. Always thought Eddie cook deserved the nod after a war with Julio. Style wise and State would would have been a great scrap. He had a short window but earlier meet with Canizales would have been a damn dream match up at 118. Solid guy and temperment gave up skillset sometimes but always fun. Not sure he really gets enough credit for beating Barrera twice though second saw Barrera make some adjustments and not play into that sharp right hand.