Latest news with #MikeMcCallum
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jamaican boxing legend Mike McCallum dies aged 68
Mike McCallum has passed away at the age of 68 (Getty) Jamaicanboxing legend Mike McCallum, who was a three-weight world champion during the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 68. McCallum died suddenly near his home in Las Vegas on Saturday (31 May), with the Jamaica Observer reporting that he was on his way to the gym when he fell ill and pulled his car off the road. He was later found unresponsive and later pronounced dead. Advertisement Known 'The Bodysnatcher' due to his vicious punching ability, especially to the body, McCallum was the first Jamaican to become a boxing world champion – eventually winning titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight between 1984 and 1995. After retiring in 1997 with 49 wins, five losses and one draw from 55 fights, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. Jamaica's sport minister Olivia Grange wrote on Instagram: "It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica's three-time World Boxing Champion Michael McKenzie McCallum. "I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sport, I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican. Advertisement "We hope they find strength in this time of bereavement." Mike McCallum (left) was known as 'The Bodysnatcher' due to his punching power (Getty) His most famous fights came against the likes of Michael Watson, Steve Collins, James Toney and Roy Jones Jr, having turned professional in 1981 after winning welterweight gold for Jamaica at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton. McCallum became world champion when he beat Ireland's Sean Mannion at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1984, claiming the WBA junior middleweight crown, and won his first 32 fights in the paid ranks, including successful title defences against Milton McCrory and Don Curry. His first defeat came in Italy against Sumbu Kalambay in 1988 when trying to add the WBA middleweight title to his collection but he did claim that belt a year later by earning a split-decision win over Herol Graham in the Royal Albert Hall in London. Advertisement Successful defences came against Collins in Boston and Watson back at the Royal Albert Hall before avenging his Kalambay defeat in Monaco. December 1991 saw the first of a trilogy of fights against Toney over the course of his remaining career – with a split-decision draw and majority-decision loss in the space of nine months twice denying him the IBF middleweight belt. McCallum won titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight during his professional career (Getty) He did win a world title in a third weight division as a 38-year-old in 1994 when Jeff Harding was defeated for the WBC light heavyweight title but lost it to Fabrice Tiozzo a year later. His career then ended with losses to Jones Jr and Toney, the latter at cruiserweight. McCallum was hugely technically gifted as fighter and is undoubtedly the greatest Jamaican boxer of all time, as well as one of the best of his era, who leaves a huge legacy behind. 'Rest in Peace to the legendary Mike 'The Body Snatcher' McCallum,' read a tribute from the WBA. 'Former WBA world champion and one of the most technically gifted fighters of his era. Thank you for the fights, the lessons, and the greatness."
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Jamaican boxing legend Mike McCallum dies aged 68
Jamaican boxing legend Mike McCallum, who was a three-weight world champion during the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 68. McCallum died suddenly near his home in Las Vegas on Saturday (31 May), with the Jamaica Observer reporting that he was on his way to the gym when he fell ill and pulled his car off the road. He was later found unresponsive and later pronounced dead. Known 'The Bodysnatcher' due to his vicious punching ability, especially to the body, McCallum was the first Jamaican to become a boxing world champion – eventually winning titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight between 1984 and 1995. After retiring in 1997 with 49 wins, five losses and one draw from 55 fights, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. Jamaica's sport minister Olivia Grange wrote on Instagram: "It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica's three-time World Boxing Champion Michael McKenzie McCallum. "I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sport, I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican. "We hope they find strength in this time of bereavement." His most famous fights came against the likes of Michael Watson, Steve Collins, James Toney and Roy Jones Jr, having turned professional in 1981 after winning welterweight gold for Jamaica at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton. McCallum became world champion when he beat Ireland's Sean Mannion at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1984, claiming the WBA junior middleweight crown, and won his first 32 fights in the paid ranks, including successful title defences against Milton McCrory and Don Curry. His first defeat came in Italy against Sumbu Kalambay in 1988 when trying to add the WBA middleweight title to his collection but he did claim that belt a year later by earning a split-decision win over Herol Graham in the Royal Albert Hall in London. Successful defences came against Collins in Boston and Watson back at the Royal Albert Hall before avenging his Kalambay defeat in Monaco. December 1991 saw the first of a trilogy of fights against Toney over the course of his remaining career – with a split-decision draw and majority-decision loss in the space of nine months twice denying him the IBF middleweight belt. He did win a world title in a third weight division as a 38-year-old in 1994 when Jeff Harding was defeated for the WBC light heavyweight title but lost it to Fabrice Tiozzo a year later. His career then ended with losses to Jones Jr and Toney, the latter at cruiserweight. McCallum was hugely technically gifted as fighter and is undoubtedly the greatest Jamaican boxer of all time, as well as one of the best of his era, who leaves a huge legacy behind. 'Rest in Peace to the legendary Mike 'The Body Snatcher' McCallum,' read a tribute from the WBA. 'Former WBA world champion and one of the most technically gifted fighters of his era. Thank you for the fights, the lessons, and the greatness."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Jamaican boxing legend Mike McCallum, "The Bodysnatcher," dies at 68
The world of boxing is in mourning following the passing of one of its all-time greats. Mike McCallum , the flourishing world champion and Hall of Fame boxer of Jamaica, died suddenly on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the age of 68 in Las Vegas . McCallum reportedly became unwell on his way to the gym, pulled over to the side of the road, and was found lifeless. He earned the nickname " The Bodysnatcher " due to his fierce body punches. McCallum became the first Jamaican to ever win a world championship title. He won the WBA Junior Middleweight belt in 1984 at Madison Square Garden from Irishman Sean Mannion. His career continued to rise from there as he went on to capture the WBA Middleweight and WBC Light Heavyweight titles, solidifying his status as a tenacious and adaptable fighter. McCallum's legacy is not in his titles alone, but in his influence on the sport. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003 and was ranked eighth by The Ring Magazine in 2011 as one of the "10 Best Middleweight Title Holders of the Last 50 Years." In Jamaica, he was a seven-time Jamaica Sportsman of the Year , inspiring generations of Caribbean athletes. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Linda Kozlowski, 67, Shows Off Her Perfect Figure In A New Photo Today's NYC Undo Jamaica's Sport Minister, Olivia Grange, spoke on the nation's sorrow: 'It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica's three-time World Boxing Champion Michael McKenzie McCallum. I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sports I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican.' Live Events Mike McCallum's legacy as a trailblazer and world champion will never be forgotten, neither in Jamaica nor the rest of the globe. The Bodysnatcher's is a story of resilience, ability, and national pride—a source of inspiration for all.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Legendary boxer Mike ‘The Bodysnatcher' McCallum dead at 68
Legendary boxer Mike 'The Bodysnatcher' McCallum died over the weekend in Las Vegas. He was 68 years old. McCallum was driving to a Las Vegas gym Saturday, and he fell ill and had to pull over to the side of the road, The Jamaica Observer reported. Advertisement 5 Mike McCallum celebrates after winning an October 1986 fight. Reuters He was then found unresponsive before later being pronounced dead, though his official cause of death remains unknown and Las Vegas police have yet to publicly comment on the matter. In a statement to The Jamaica Observer, Sport Minister Olivia Grange expressed shock and sadness over McCallum's death. Advertisement 5 Mike McCallum is pictured working out in April 1979. Frank Empson / The Tennessean 'It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica's three-time World Boxing Champion Michael McKenzie McCallum,' Grange said in a statement. 'I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sports I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican.' 5 Mike McCallum is pictured in August 2015. Marcel Thomas/ZUMA Wire 5 Mike McCallum was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. AP Advertisement McCallum was revered during his time in the ring over the years, having won across three different weight classes and becoming the first Jamaican boxer to win a world title in 1984 when he defeated Sean Mannion at Madison Square Garden for the WBA Junior Middleweight title. He fought in 55 bouts throughout his career, winning 49 and losing five, while one ended in a draw. 5 Mike McCallum tries to dodge a punch during a fight against Roy Jones Jr. Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire Advertisement McCallum was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003, and in 2011, Ring Magazine included him on a list of the '10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years.' 'Greatly saddened by passing of Mike McCallum. Mike was lovely guy, humble guy, great champion,' Rich Marotta, the founder of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, wrote on X. 'He was an Inaugural year inductee of @nvbhof and, as resident of Las Vegas, always wanted to be part of the events, big or small. Had greatest nickname in boxing, 'The Bodysnatcher' RIP.'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Three-time world champion Mike McCallum dies aged 68
Former three-weight world champion Mike McCallum has died at the age of 68. The Jamaican, who held versions of super welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight titles between 1984 and 1995, died after being taken ill near his Las Vegas home. Jamaica's sport minister Olivia Grange wrote on Instagram: "It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica's three-time World Boxing Champion Michael McKenzie McCallum. "I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sport, I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican. "We hope they find strength in this time of bereavement." As a distinguished amateur, McCallum - who was known as 'The Bodysnatcher' due to his vicious punching ability to the body - won welterweight gold for Jamaica at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton. He switched to the paid ranks in 1981 and won his first 32 professional fights, with stand-out victories over Milton McCrory and Don Curry. McCallum beat Herol Graham and Michael Watson in world middleweight title fights in London, as well as outpointing Ireland's Steve Collins in Boston. He retired in 1997 with 49 wins and one draw from 55 fights, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
