Jamaican boxing legend Mike McCallum passes away aged 68

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inform the story From reproductive rights to environment change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is establishing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our most current documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American ladies fighting for reproductive rights, we understand how crucial it is to parse out the truths from the messaging.At such a critical moment in United States history, we require reporters on the ground. Your contribution permits us to keep sending out journalists to speak with both sides of the story.The Independent is relied on by Americans throughout the whole political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. Our company believe quality journalism must be available to everyone, paid for by those who can pay for it.Your assistance makes all the difference.Read more Jamaicanboxing legend Mike McCallum, who was a three-weight

world champion during the 1980s and 1990s, has actually passed away at the age of 68. McCallum died suddenly near his home in Las Vegas on Saturday (31 Might), with the Jamaica Observer reporting that he was on his way to the fitness center when he

fell ill and pulled his vehicle off the roadway. He was later discovered unresponsive and later pronounced dead.Known ‘The Bodysnatcher’due to his vicious punching capability, especially to the body, McCallum was the very first Jamaican to end up being a boxing world champion– eventually winning titles at junior middleweight

, middleweight and light heavyweight in between 1984 and 1995. After retiring in 1997 with 49 wins, five losses and one draw from 55 battles, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Popularity in 2003. Jamaica’s sport minister Olivia Grange composed on Instagram:”It is with utter and total sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica’s three-time World Boxing Champ Michael McKenzie McCallum.”I reveal my personal acknowledgements to his mother, brother or sisters and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sport, I take this chance to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this famous Jamaican. “We hope they find strength in this time of bereavement.

“ open image in gallery Mike McCallum(left)was referred to as’The Bodysnatcher’ due to his punching power (Getty)His most famous battles

came versus the likes of Michael Watson, Steve Collins, James Toney and Roy Jones Jr, having turned expert in 1981 after winning welterweight gold for Jamaica at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.McCallum ended up being world champ when he beat Ireland’s Sean Mannion at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1984, declaring the WBA junior middleweight crown, and won his very first 32 battles in the paid ranks,

consisting of effective title defences versus Milton McCrory and Don Curry.His first beat was available in Italy versus Sumbu Kalambay in 1988 when attempting to include the WBA middleweight title to his collection but he did claim that belt a year later by making a split-decision win over Herol Graham in the Royal Albert Hall in London. Enjoy 185 +battles a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss out on a fight from leading

promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.See Arrange AD. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This income assists to money journalism throughout The Independent. Enjoy 185+fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss out on a battle from top promoters. View on your devices anywhere, anytime.See Arrange ADVERTISEMENT. If you register to this service we will

make commission. This revenue helps to money journalism throughout The Independent.Successful defences came versus Collins in Boston and Watson back at the Royal Albert Hall before avenging his Kalambay defeat in Monaco. December 1991 saw the very first of a trilogy of fights against Toney

over the course of his staying career– with a split-decision draw and majority-decision loss in the area of nine months twice denying him the IBF middleweight belt.

open image in gallery

McCallum won titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight throughout his professional career (Getty)

He did win a world title in a 3rd weight department 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 on. His career then ended with losses to Jones Jr and Toney, the latter at cruiserweight.McCallum was hugely technically talented as fighter and is unquestionably the greatest Jamaican fighter of all time, along with among the very best of his period, who leaves a substantial tradition behind.” Rest in Peace to the legendary Mike’The Body Snatcher ‘McCallum,” read a tribute from the WBA.”Former WBA world champ and one of the most technically gifted fighters of his age. Thank you for the battles, the lessons, and the greatness.”