Latest news with #WorldBoxingAssociation
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mike 'The Body Snatcher' McCallum, boxing hall of famer and three-time champion, dies at 68
Mike McCallum is lifted up by his ring team after he retained his World Boxing Association junior middleweight title against Julian Jackson in Miami Beach, Aug. 23, 1986. (Joe Skipper / Associated Press) Mike "The Body Snatcher" McCallum was so feared for his impeccable technique that the "four kings" of the 1980s declined to fight him. Nevertheless, McCallum won world titles at super welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. McCallum, the first Jamaican-born champion, died Saturday in Las Vegas at 68. The Jamaica Observer reported that McCallum fell ill while driving to a gym and pulled off the road. He was found to be unresponsive, and was later pronounced dead. Advertisement Not that his inability to secure a bout with Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard or Marvin Hagler spoiled his mood. It was particularly telling that Hearns wouldn't fight McCallum, because they were longtime sparring partners before becoming champions. McCallum was disappointed but remained all smiles outside the ring, consistently carrying himself with a pleasant, if serious, disposition. In the ring, his attention to detail and faultless technique enabled him to post a 49-5-1 record. McCallum earned his nickname by repeatedly punching the body and head. More often than not, bouts ended in knockouts — he recorded 36 KOs and was never knocked out. The Ring magazine ranked him in 2011 as eighth on their list of the "10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years." Advertisement "None of 'The Four Kings,' wanted anything to do with that guy and I know that for a fact because I tried to make some of those fights," Hall of Fame boxer Lou DiBella told longtime boxing writer Kevin Iole. "He was the most perfect technical fighter I've ever seen, and he wasn't a pitty-pat guy." Read more: Georgia O'Connor, beloved and unbeaten British boxer, dies at 25 McCallum became the first Jamaican boxer to win a world title when he defeated Irishman Sean Mannion by unanimous decision in 1984 at Madison Square Garden for the WBA Junior Middleweight crown. Jamaican Sport Minister Olivia Grange issued a statement upon learning of McCallum's passing, saying, "It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica's three-time World Boxing Champion Michael McKenzie McCallum. Advertisement '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." Michael McKenzie McCallum was born Dec. 7, 1956, in Kingston, Jamaica, and began boxing as a teenager, racking up as many as 250 amateur bouts before turning pro in 1981. He represented Jamaica at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, reaching the quarterfinals. He boxed professionally until 1997, successfully defending the WBA junior middleweight crown six times, including wins over Julian Jackson, Milton McCrory and Donald Curry before moving up a weight class to middleweight. Read more: Commentary: Thirty years ago Freddie Roach didn't take sage advice, opened Wild Card Boxing Club Advertisement McCallum defeated Herol Graham in 1989 to become WBA middleweight champion and defended the belt with wins over Steve Collins, Michael Watson and Sumbu Kalambay. He won his third division title in 1994 by again stepping up in weight class and defeating Jeff Harding for the WBC light heavyweight crown. He met his match against James Toney, fighting to a draw Dec. 13, 1991, before losing to Toney twice. McCallum also dropped a 12-round decision to Roy Jones in a 1997 light heavyweight title fight. He retired shortly thereafter and became a successful trainer, taking great pride in teaching his body-punching technique to young boxers. Jones expressed sadness to Kevin Iole, saying, "Man, we lost another beautiful boxing soul. May he rest in peace.' Advertisement Jones also lamented that McCallum was unable to book fights against the four kings. 'In the junior middleweight division, everyone always went around Mike McCallum, and that says a lot about him," Jones said. "Not even Marvin [Hagler] ever talked much about fighting Mike McCallum. You don't have to listen to what they say [about him]. You watch what they do and everyone wanted to go around him for a reason.' In a post on X, the WBC said: "Rest in Peace to the legendary Mike 'The Body Snatcher' McCallum. 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. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
7NEWS
22-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Hearts break as much-loved boxer Georgia O'Connor dies after cancer batter, aged 25
Tributes are flowing for much-loved boxer Georgia O'Connor who has tragically died at the age of 25. O'Connor was from Durham in England's north-east, and was a boxer on the rise after winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017. Last year she revealed she had ulcerative colitis (which gave her 'unbearable' cramps and bowel issues) and earlier this year she was diagnosed with cancer. And in a heartbreaking twist, just two weeks ago she was married and taken her boyfriend's surname, Cardinali. The boxing world has been shattered by the sad news. 'It's hard to make sense of this,' O'Connor's promoter Ben Shalom said. 'A lot goes on in life but nothing else matters other than your family and your health. 'My heart goes out to Georgia's parents and partner, who I know did everything they could tirelessly and are going through so much right now. 'Georgia was an inspirational person and one I'll never forget. So sorry for her family and all her friends. Truly heartbreaking.' in 2021 O'Connor made her professional debut after a decorated stint as an amateur. Ben Shalom's Boxxer was her promoter and she was undefeated in three fights. 'We are heartbroken by the passing of Georgia O'Connor. A true warrior inside and outside the ring, the boxing community has lost a talented, courageous and determined young woman far too soon,' Boxxer said. 'Georgia was loved, respected and admired by her friends here at Boxxer. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time.' World champion Ellie Scotney said her good 'was the most beautiful human' on she had ever come across. 'I was so blessed with not just a friend for 10 years, but a sister for life,' Scotney said. 'Even when life was on a timer, you never let anything dim that light of yours. A smile that never ever fades, and a heart that will forever live on in so many ways. 'There was nothing you couldn't do, the world at your very feet no matter what room you entered.' The World Boxing Association said O'Connor was a gifted British boxer whose dedication and fighting spirit left an 'indelible mark on the sport'. 'O'Connor, who rose to prominence with a standout performance at the Commonwealth Youth Games, showcased extraordinary talent every time she stepped between the ropes. 'She passed away at just 25 years old after a courageous battle with cancer—a fight she met with the same grit and heart that defined her boxing career. 'The WBA joins her family, friends, and the entire boxing community in grieving this heartbreaking loss. Georgia's legacy extends far beyond the ring — her passion for boxing and the bravery she displayed both inside and outside the squared circle will be remembered always. 'In this moment of sorrow, the WBA sends its heartfelt condolences to her loved ones and reaffirms its commitment to supporting and standing by the athletes who dedicate their lives to the sport.'
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Waseem new WBA bantamweight champ
"It was a dream that has come true and I can't thank my people enough for it," the newly crowned World Boxing Association World Gold Bantamweight champion Mohammad Waseem said in his hometown, Quetta which staged Pakistan's first professional boxing event. Waseem has been chasing not only another world title but also his ultimate dream to win it in front of his home crowd in Pakistan, to give them a taste of proper boxing bouts. The former three-time World Boxing Council Silver Flyweight Champion grabbed his title against Venezuela's Wiston Orono in front of a crowd of thousands. He knocked out Orono in the ninth round after a flurry of body shots, culminating in a final knockout punch. "I felt so good was also because this is my natural weight," Waseem admitted, while his previous world title bouts included International Boxing Federation fights against Sunny Edwards in 2022, and Moruti Mthalane in 2018 has been in the flyweight division. With his result, a decision given by judges who were in Pakistan from Germany, Spain, France, Venezuela, and Panama, Waseem registered his 10th knockout win of his professional career. "Orono was so good in the first three rounds, and he was just dominating, I felt," Waseem told this correspondent on Monday Morning, after soaking in the historic victory over the weekend. "My opponent was too good, but then I felt I started to get more ground in the fourth round, and by the sixth round, I could intuitively tell that he was wearing out. By the time I returned to my corner after the sixth round, my coach Danny Vaughn said that Orono looks like he wants to get out of the fight. So I capitalised on it. I was sure that he would not last beyond the ninth or tenth round with the way he was moving." The show went on despite the India-Pakistan conflict. The event took place, featuring boxers and officials from around 13 countries on Saturday night. The constant preparations for it began in January. "I'm feeling very good, I could not have done this without the help of DHA Quetta, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, has been very kind, and so was the Corps Commander for Quetta, Lieutenant General Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan. "The CM Balochistan sent his private jet to make sure that the boxers get to Quetta safely, on Friday, when there were news of war between India and Pakistan everywhere, our boxers were stuck in Dubai for two days and then they managed to land in Pakistan, but from Islamabad they were brought through private plane," he disclosed. The event saw eight bouts, including the WBA Asia South Super Lightweight title won by Tarik Zaina. Alex Dilmaghani won the WBA Asia Middle-East Lightweight title. Jesus Saracho won the bout for the WBA Asia Middle-East Welterweight title. Two women's boxing title bouts also took place. The 2010 World Combat Games gold medallist and the 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Waseem, feels that the challenges to hold the event did not deter him from giving his best in the ring. "I have had 300 amateur bouts and now in my professional career I have won my 14th fight, so I am used to facing difficulties and I don't get nervous or lose my focus," said the resilient pugilist who has seen it all from troubles with Pakistan Boxing Federation, to lack of sponsorships, bad managements, to constant visa issues in the past. 'It meant everything' The success of the event was more personal for Waseem. "I trained in Liverpool for two months, but the day I was leaving for my training, my wife gave birth to our daughter, and that was the hardest thing for me to be away from my newborn, but I had to train," he explained. "I got to experience my daughter for the first time since her birth on May 3, when I returned to Pakistan. "Boxing can be so lonely. But I am glad I won this world title, and I feel my daughter is very lucky for me. My wife and kids couldn't be there because of the complete airspace shutdown. But my parents, my siblings, and my relatives saw me win the world title at home, among my people of Quetta, Balochistan, and that felt like a dream." He thanked American matchmaker Roberto A Diaz and Chris Glover, who helped bring the international event to Pakistan.
Kyodo News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Boxing: "Monster" Inoue TKOs Cardenas to retain 4 super bantam belts
KYODO NEWS - 6 hours ago - 18:30 | Sports, All Japanese boxing star Naoya Inoue overcame a gutsy performance by American Ramon Cardenas to retain the undisputed super bantamweight world championship Sunday via an eighth-round technical knockout. The four-division world champion known as "Monster" improved to 30-0 with 27 KOs after bouncing back from an early knockdown at the hands of World Boxing Association No. 1 challenger Cardenas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Cardenas stunned Inoue and energized the crowd by landing a left hook that sent the overwhelming favorite to the canvas at the end of the second round. The knockdown appeared to wake up the champion, who stepped up his attack from the following round. Inoue dealt out a punishing sixth round and floored Cardenas in the seventh. "I was very surprised (by the knockdown) but managed to stay calm and regroup," the 32-year-old Inoue said. "I made sure I never received a similar shot from the third onward." Inoue went in for the kill from the start of the eighth, sending Cardenas reeling backward to his own corner with a crushing right before delivering a barrage culminating in a right uppercut. With the challenger on the ropes and seemingly unable to find a way out, referee Thomas Taylor stopped the fight 45 seconds into the round. "He (Cardenas) was a very tough opponent," Inoue said. "There was a huge gap in odds, but he came out desperately wanting to beat me and it really made me think boxing isn't that easy." Cardenas, who dropped to 26-2 with 14 wins by knockout, said it was not the power but the "ruthlessness" of the champion, who delivered "six, seven, eight punches at a time," that separated the two. "I knew he was going to come back stronger (after the knockdown)," Cardenas said. The victory marked a triumphant return to the United States for Inoue, whose previous fight in the country was in June 2021, when he knocked out Michael Dasmarinas of the Philippines in the third round to defend his IBF and WBA bantamweight belts in Las Vegas. "I really felt there were lots of fans who've been craving for this," Inoue said. "I'd like to fight again in America if they enjoyed it." The native of Kanagawa Prefecture near Tokyo has won 11 straight bouts by knockout, while his 25 victories in world championship matches, 23 of them by KO, are the most by any Japanese boxer. Inoue, who has revealed plans to eventually conquer a fifth weight class by moving up to featherweight, confirmed after the match that his next fight would be against WBA interim super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan in Japan in September. Related coverage: Boxing: Inoue reveals plan to win 5th division ahead of Cardenas bout Boxing: "Monster" Naoya Inoue aims to make big impact in U.S. Boxing: Inoue out to continue KO streak against Cardenas in Las Vegas
The Mainichi
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Boxing: 'Monster' Inoue TKOs Cardenas to retain 4 super bantam belts
LAS VEGAS (Kyodo) -- Japanese boxing star Naoya Inoue overcame a gutsy performance by American Ramon Cardenas to retain the undisputed super bantamweight world championship Sunday via an eighth-round technical knockout. The four-division world champion known as "Monster" improved to 30-0 with 27 KOs after bouncing back from an early knockdown at the hands of World Boxing Association No. 1 challenger Cardenas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Cardenas stunned Inoue and energized the crowd by landing a left hook that sent the overwhelming favorite to the canvas at the end of the second round. The knockdown appeared to wake up the champion, who stepped up his attack from the following round. Inoue dealt out a punishing sixth round and floored Cardenas in the seventh. "I was very surprised (by the knockdown) but managed to stay calm and regroup," the 32-year-old Inoue said. "I made sure I never received a similar shot from the third onward." Inoue went in for the kill from the start of the eighth, sending Cardenas reeling backward to his own corner with a crushing right before delivering a barrage culminating in a right uppercut. With the challenger on the ropes and seemingly unable to find a way out, referee Thomas Taylor stopped the fight 45 seconds into the round. "He (Cardenas) was a very tough opponent," Inoue said. "There was a huge gap in odds, but he came out desperately wanting to beat me and it really made me think boxing isn't that easy." Cardenas, who dropped to 26-2 with 14 wins by knockout, said it was not the power but the "ruthlessness" of the champion, who delivered "six, seven, eight punches at a time," that separated the two. "I knew he was going to come back stronger (after the knockdown)," Cardenas said. The victory marked a triumphant return to the United States for Inoue, whose previous fight in the country was in June 2021, when he knocked out Michael Dasmarinas of the Philippines in the third round to defend his IBF and WBA bantamweight belts in Las Vegas. "I really felt there were lots of fans who've been craving for this," Inoue said. "I'd like to fight again in America if they enjoyed it." Inoue, who has revealed plans to eventually conquer a fifth weight class by moving up to featherweight, confirmed after the match that his next fight would be against WBA interim super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan in Japan in September.
