Mike McCallum. ATG?

[TheGreatA]

I wouldn't say top 50 but top 100 definitely.

[P4P GOAT]

Mike McCallum was a complete fighter who had a very good resume: Julian Jackson, Don Curry, Herol Graham, Steve Collins, Michael Watson. Only two of his 5 losses came during his prime. One to Kalambay, which was avenged and a controversial MD to James Toney.


Do you rank McCallum as an ATG and if so, where?

Without a doubt. Kalambay was a very very good technical fighter too. Underrated fighter. Who i think would of given Nunn all he could handle, if Nunn hadn't landed that once in a life time left hand.

[P4P GOAT]

absolutely he was an ATG. arguably the best fighter ever at 154lbs, and had an outstanding run at Middleweight too. even picked up a light heavyweight title in his late 30s and had some pretty good wins.

watching some of his fights, he was really something. technically sound, and his defense was fantastic other than him getting lazy and getting smacked with right hands occasionally.

wins over Ayub Kalule, Mccrory, Donald Curry, Julian Jackson, Steve Collins, Herol Graham, Sumbu Kalambay, Jeff Harding and Michael Watson are undeniable. not to mention his fights with Toney(more particularly the 1st one) were some of the most skilled battles you will ever see. very difficult fights to score.

Im almost done with my highlight of him.

Yep McCallum beat Kalule up, and Mcrory, when he got to grips with his height etc.

[andrewcuff]

Without a doubt. Kalambay was a very very good technical fighter too. Underrated fighter. Who i think would of given Nunn all he could handle, if Nunn hadn't landed that once in a life time left hand.

Where do you rate him amongst the ATGs?

[P4P GOAT]

Where do you rate him amongst the ATGs?

I dont know. I dont really like to get into stuff like that, its too subjective, and people will just argue the toss with you. I rate him very very highly though, he is one of my top 6/7 favourite fighters of AT.

A pure ring technician.

[P4P GOAT]

6/7 favourite fighters. Not 6/7 best fighters of all time.

[andrewcuff]

I dont know. I dont really like to get into stuff like that, its too subjective, and people will just argue the toss with you. I rate him very very highly though, he is one of my top 6/7 fav fighters of AT.

A pure ring technician.

I've never made a definitive list either. I just generally rank fighters in categories e.g. Top 10, Top 25, Top 50 etc. I'd have McCallum somewhere in my Top 50 ATGs.

Absolute pleasure to watch, a 'craftsmen' as the commentators call him on virtually all of his fights!

[P4P GOAT]

I think the younger McCallum would of beaten Toney. I think the old version beat him the second time. The draw in the first fight i could stand for, because Toney did finish strong. Albeit i was still leaning towards McCallum, if i had to choose a winner.

[andrewcuff]

I think the younger McCallum would of beaten Toney. I think the old version beat him the second time. The draw in the first fight i could stand for, because Toney did finish strong. Albeit i was still leaning towards McCallum, if i had to choose a winner.

Yeah I watched that fight again about an hour ago. A draw would be fair because Toney had some really strong rounds. As lesser fighter would have gone down when you realise how many bombs Toney late on.

I thought McCallum made Toney look a bit 'wild' in that fight. His footwork and upper body movement left Toney looking out of position / off-balance a lot.

[P4P GOAT]

I've never made a definitive list either. I just generally rank fighters in categories e.g. Top 10, Top 25, Top 50 etc. I'd have McCallum somewhere in my Top 50 ATGs.

Absolute pleasure to watch, a 'craftsmen' as the commentators call him on virtually all of his fights!

You should watch the 2nd Kalambay fight. I had only seen the 1st Kalambay fight where McCallum lost, and even though i thought Kalambay looked like a very good fighter, when i saw the second fight i was even more impressed with him. Even though, he lost that fight.

Another McCallum victim people underestimate is Steve Collins. He had a war with Reggie Johnson. If you can get that fight you should watch it, because its a great fight.