Mike McCallum lost his wife just before an important fight when they had a daughter who was just a toddler.

At the Kronk gym he had plenty of sparring with Tommy Hitman Hearns but left after being sidelined and not getting the big fight against Duran. He subsequently beat a number of top Kronk fighters, Braxton and McCrory, defending his light middleweight title which I am sure he enjoyed.

Mike McCallum was a champion who went on the road to defend his titles. He was ripped off by Don King and most of his team left him after he lost for the first time against Sumbu Kalambay.

The really big purses eluded him. He was on the under-card Hagler event and the other fab 4 did not want to face him.

Mike McCallum beat Don Curry when he was expected to lose with that left hook one punch knock out. The cobra thought the body snatcher would go low with left hook when instead he went high to the chin of Curry who got flattened.

Mike beat some good under rated fighters such as Ayub Kalule, Julian Jackson, Steve Collins, Herol Graham and Michael Watson. I thought he beat James Toney both times, but they were brilliant contests.

McCallum also beat tough durable Jeff Harding who had some memorable wars with our Dennis Andries. Mike McCallum oozed quality, patience and poise. Never looked unfazed and always seemed self-assured about what he was doing was right.

RIP great man and champ.