Mike McCallum

[mikeeod]

I think Mike was too big for Duran at 154 and would've won that fight, but I think Leonard was just a little too fast and too good for him. Hagler and Hearns would've been great match ups for him, but both would've had to rely on speed to beat him. Maybe prime Hagler could've won a 12 or 15 round war, but he would've been better served to box in that one and not stand for to toe. The Tommy fight is fascinating in that I think Tommy's reach and speed would've really bothered McCallum, but I think Mikes durability, chin, underrated boxing skills and body attack would've had him coming on strong late in the fight. Not sure if Tommy had the stamina and chin to survive the distance in that one.

[greynotsoold]

Does anybody remember when McCallum declared war on Kronk? He was a member of Kronk for awhile but left angry because he thought that he was being ignored, that Hearns was being given preferential treatment. Specifically, he wanted the Duran fight that Hearns got. When he left Kronk he declared war. Look up how many Kronk fighters he beat while with Duva, and watch those fights. McCallum directs a lot of anger at Emmanuel.
There is no doubt in my mind that Hearns was kept away from McCallum; he couldn't win that fight unless he did so in the first round or two, and then McCallum would have put a life altering beating on Tommy. Leonard 'didn't duck anybody' but he sure never fought McCallum. Same with Duran. You know why?
Nigel Benn sparred with McCallum and later said that he was the only man he was afraid to fight. Because McCallum hits you in the body and then keeps hitting you in the exact same place, Benn said, and he was convinced that that sort of thing can kill you.

[Master]

I remember he wanted Duran and was annoyed that Hearns got him first because the bodysnatcher would have become a big star.

Leonard certainly was selective when he came back after beating Hagler and certainly avoided Mike.

I think Watson said he could not breath in the first few rounds because of the body shots.