Jameel McCline Returns: Eyes Povetkin, Adamek, More

By David "Los Gatos" Rosenberg

Over the weekend Jameel “Big Time” McCline (40-10-3  24KO's) fought for the first time in 2 ½ years, stopping Dennis McKinney in the fourth round.  McCline has fought for the title 4 times, including close decision losses to then IBF Champion Chris Byrd and WBC Champion Sam Peter and has posted notable wins against Michael Grant, Shannon Briggs, and Cedric Boswell. Boxingscene.com caught up with McCline and discussed his comeback.  Readers can click the link to view the knockout:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9H2lqNkVd8

BoxingScene:  Jameel, why are you coming back?

JM:  Honestly, I felt that I went out on the wrong note against Arreola.  After beating Mike Mollo, I wasn’t being offered anything and thought that maybe it was a good win to end my career on.  But Don King called me out of the blue one day and offered me a substantial amount of money to fight Arreola on HBO—it was tough to turn down, even with only 2 ½ weeks notice.  After some thought, I figured ‘what the hell’ and accepted the fight, which turned out to be a terrible decision.  I didn’t need the money, but it was the first time I ever took a fight on short notice just to pick up a paycheck.  Naturally, I tried to win the fight, but was too out of shape and rusty to be successful in the bout and you know the result.  So, to answer your question, I want to go out on a better note.  If I lose again to another top fighter, I want to go out on my shield in a war—not the way I went out against Arreola.  Besides, boxing is not out of my system yet.

BoxingScene:  You are one of many heavyweights making a comeback these days, what makes you different from all the other guys making a comeback?

JM:  Well, one of the reasons guys are coming back is because the heavyweight division is so weak—guys making comebacks and fighting at an advanced age have been successful.  Hasim Rahman is rated number 1 in the WBA and is the mandatory for Povetkin.  A guy I beat—friend and legitimate top 10 Cedric Boswell—just fought a good fight with Povetkin for the WBA belt.  Michael Grant, who I knocked out in 1 round had a good bout with Adamek and just scored a decent win against Frans Botha.   Look at the top guys in the rankings, Tyson Fury, Jonathan Banks, Alexander Ustinov, Bermane Stivern, Seth Mitchell—no disrespect, but I feel I can beat all those guys and every one of them is in the top 5 in one of the sanctioning bodies.   I know every generation thinks theirs was the toughest, but look at the guys I came up with: Lewis, Rahman, Tua, Grant, Byrd, Ibeabuchi, Golota, Mercer, Briggs— totally different class than today’s heavyweights—and I will prove that.

BoxingScene:  So the heavyweight division today is weak?

JM:  The champions Vitali and Wladimir are very, very good—perhaps amongst the best in history.  Newly minted WBA champion is also a very talented fighter, who impressed me in his last fight.  People don’t know this, but I am close to Povetkin’s management and have boxed many rounds with Povetkin over the years.  Povetkin is the one guy that can give the Klitschko’s a test.  As to most everyone else, the division is not that deep outside the top 4 or 5.

BoxingScene:  So what is next for Jameel McCline?

JM:  I will try and fight every month or two and really make a serious run at another title.  40 is the new 30 in the heavyweight division.  The plan is to step it up every fight until mid 2012, when I expect some ‘name’ will come calling and I will be ready.  I know that I will get an unprecedented 5th world title try.  Vincent Ponte of GulfStream Promotions in NJ has promised to keep me busy—I am looking forward to boxing again in January, then March, then hopefully a big opportunity in the spring.  I have been blessed to always have a great team around me—beginning with my first manager Allan Wartski, my attorney of 15 years Mike Borao, Scott Hirsch, new advisors Isaiah Goldman and Josh Scott, and now Gulf Stream Promotions.   Also, I have great trainers in Matt Cedrone and Anthony Hamm, and conditioning trainers Richard Wygand and fitness consultant Rhonda Ashkettle.

BoxingScene:  Is there anyone in particular you would like to fight or are there any discussions?

JM:  It is funny because as soon as I announced I was making a comeback, my attorney got a number of calls immediately offering big fights.  But like I said, I want to get it right this time, take my time and give myself the best opportunity to win at the highest level.  If I had my wish list, my friend Alexander Povetkin would be first because he has a belt;  Adamek and I at the Prudential Center would be great. I announced some of his fights there and it was an electrifying atmosphere; I heard  Andrew Golota is coming back, he and I in Poland would be big.  The greatest promoter in history Don King has the WBC Silver Champion Bermane Stiverne - I would love that fight.  Me, my attorney and Scott Hirsch will visit with Don and see if we can team up with Gulf Stream for a title fight with Stivern.  We shall see, but based on the response so far, I will get another opportunity for sure.

BoxingScene:  You didn’t mention the Klitschko’s.  Why not?

JM:  Vitali pulled out of our fight on a week’s notice and I already fought Wladimir.  Besides, if I was just here for the money I would be calling them out like everyone else.  I want to land a fight and beat a big name like Povetkin or Adamek and earn a shot.  Otherwise, I am just going to focus on what I am doing and take it one fight at a time.  

BoxingScene:  Anything that you want to say to the fans?

JM:  Just thanks for the support over the years.  I have a couple of thousand friends on Facebook and it is always great to get their feedback.  I am looking forward to a big 2012!