How good was Mike McCallum?

[Quarry]

McCallum KO'd Donald Curry. Duran lost to Kirkland Laing and Robbie Sims. I rest my case.

Take a look at McCallums record and you will see that it is not as impressive as your trying to make it out to be. McCallum lost to almost every name opponent he ever fought with the exception of Curry & Jackson(wobbled & hurt McCallum) he simply was not in the same league as Duran, Leonard, Hagler or Hearns. whereas Roberto Duran's record is stacked full of name opponents whom he defeated with the one common-opponent they both have at 154 being Luigi Minchillo who Duran took to school. Duran easily fought the better opposition at 154lb and to say McCallum knocks him out is over exaggerating, McCallum could not KO Sean Mannion never mind Roberto Duran who came within a whisker of beating Marvin Hagler.

[joseph5620]

Take a look at McCallums record and you will see that it is not as impressive as your trying to make it out to be. McCallum lost to almost every name opponent he ever fought with the exception of Curry & Jackson(wobbled & hurt McCallum) he simply was not in the same league as Duran, Leonard, Hagler or Hearns. whereas Roberto Duran's record is stacked full of name opponents whom he defeated with the one common-opponent they both have at 154 being Luigi Minchillo who Duran took to school. Duran easily fought the better opposition at 154lb and to say McCallum knocks him out is over exaggerating, McCallum could not KO Sean Mannion never mind Roberto Duran who came within a whisker of beating Marvin Hagler.

At 154 McCallum never lost to fighters like Kirkland Laing. So what you just said about their records at 154 holds no weight at all. Duran was not a great fighter at 154 and you have no case to make him one. Hearns and Benitez handled Duran easily at that weight. That speaks for itself.

[Pastrano]

Duran had his off nights. but lets not forget that Duran was still someone who was able to cut and give near prime Hagler problems(more problems than almost anyone else during Hagler's prime title reign), and his destruction of Davey Moore. Moore is just a name on Duran's record nowadays, but he was a very good offensive fighter who had quality wins at 154.

Im not suggesting that Duran would win. But it wouldnt be a wipeout. Curry gave McCallum some problems and actually had him quite stunned with his right hand. to be fair, Curry was a damn good fighter and was more explosive than Duran, but overall I see Duran at least making the rounds competitive whilst losing most of them.

and McCallum is one of my favorite fighters ever, but there were moments that he let his opponents get into the fight while he was in control.

Duran's fondness for your namesake brought his downfall in many fights.

[The_Demon]

McCallum was an absolute monster,one of the best of the 80-90's imo,and thats saying something as both decades had some real quality,their isnt anybody id strongly favour over him at 154,or even favour at all for that matter

[Quarry]

At 154 McCallum never lost to fighters like Kirkland Laing. So what you just said about their records at 154 holds no weight at all. Duran was not a great fighter at 154 and you have no case to make him one. Hearns and Benitez handled Duran easily at that weight. That speaks for itself.

i have made a strong case. McCallum would have his work cut-out to beat Kirkland Laing and been the underdog against Benitez & Hearns.

[JAB5239]

Take a look at McCallums record and you will see that it is not as impressive as your trying to make it out to be. McCallum lost to almost every name opponent he ever fought with the exception of Curry & Jackson(wobbled & hurt McCallum) he simply was not in the same league as Duran, Leonard, Hagler or Hearns. whereas Roberto Duran's record is stacked full of name opponents whom he defeated with the one common-opponent they both have at 154 being Luigi Minchillo who Duran took to school. Duran easily fought the better opposition at 154lb and to say McCallum knocks him out is over exaggerating, McCallum could not KO Sean Mannion never mind Roberto Duran who came within a whisker of beating Marvin Hagler.

You mention Minchillo saying Duran took him to school, yet McCallum ko'd him while Duran only got the decision. You also leave out the fact that Duran was 30 years old at the time and a veteran fighter still in or close to his prime while McCallum had just 22 fights under his belt giving up huge experience to the prime Minchillo. You say McCallum lost to every "name opponent" he ever fought yet leave out the fact that he was absolutely dominant at 154, where as the great Duran wasn't. I think we've established that you play fast and loose with the facts.

[JAB5239]

i have made a strong case. McCallum would have his work cut-out to beat Kirkland Laing and been the underdog against Benitez & Hearns.

How would McCallum have his "work cut out" to be Laing? He feasted on guys like Laing at 154.

[mickey malone]

i have made a strong case. McCallum would have his work cut-out to beat Kirkland Laing and been the underdog against Benitez & Hearns.

Laing was a lazy welterweight who'd occasionally fight at 154 because he couldn't be bothered to train. He called himself 'The Gifted One' and had he not lived on a diet of Jamaican Rum & Sensimilla, would have more than likely lived up to it at 147.

Laing had a style all of his own - arms low, arse out, make you miss & counter. Apart from lack of movement, it wasn't too disimilar to that of Herol Graham who'd taken McCallum to a split decision at 160. Even so, Mike would have had increased physical advantages over Laing in height, reach, power etc and on fight night would probably come in at least a stone heavier.

Because of his lifestyle, Laing adopted the laziest style i've ever seen in a boxing ring and against mediocre's could win a round without moving more than a couple of feet. He'd never go looking for a fighter, and if he couldn't command centre ring, would usually lose concentration and get knocked out. A semi-trained Duran couldn't catch him, but i'm afraid a prime McCallum most certainly would.

[Quarry]

How would McCallum have his "work cut out" to be Laing? He feasted on guys like Laing at 154.

Kirkland Laing was one of the most skilled boxers Britain ever produced and was far more skilled than Herol Graham who was unfortunate to lose to McCallum at 160lb with Graham being a better fighter at 154lb your dismissal of Laing shows your ignorance of his career.

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[Pastrano]

Kirkland Laing was one of the most skilled boxers Britain ever produced and was far more skilled than Herol Graham who was unfortunate to lose to McCallum at 160lb with Graham being a better fighter at 154lb your dismissal of Laing shows your ignorance of his career.

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Oh-my-god! His ******ity show just keeps on rollin'.