The “Body Snatcher” is gone. According to early reports, the formidable former world champion Mike McCallum fell ill while driving to the gym. His car veered off the road, and when police officers arrived at the scene shortly after, they found him unconscious, still seated behind the wheel. Paramedics could do nothing but confirm McCallum’s death. He was 68 years old.
The former Jamaican boxer had a dazzling professional career. He reached his first world title shot undefeated in 1984, after a streak of 21 consecutive wins, and scored a wide points victory over Irishman Sean Mannion to claim the vacant WBA super welterweight world title.
McCallum defended the belt six times, winning all by stoppage and beating, among others, Italy’s Luigi Minchillo and two fearsome punchers: Julian Jackson and Donald Curry. The extraordinary feat of dethroning the Body Snatcher was later achieved by Italy’s Sumbu Kalambay, who pulled off a true masterpiece by winning a decision in Pesaro in 1988.
Mike McCallum’s glory days, however, were far from over. The following year, he won the vacant WBA middleweight world title on the road, edging local hero Herol Graham by split decision. He held the belt for over three years, defeating top contenders such as Irishman Steve Collins, Briton Michael Watson, and Italy’s Sumbu Kalambay, against whom he earned his revenge.
McCallum lost the title to the outstanding James Toney after facing him twice, with the rematch ending in a majority decision loss. Their first fight, which ended in a draw, is still considered by many experts one of the most technically rich world title bouts in boxing history.
Still unsatisfied with his brilliant achievements, the Body Snatcher added to his legacy by winning the WBC light heavyweight world title in July 1994, defeating Australian titleholder Jeff Harding by unanimous decision.
The points loss in France to local puncher Fabrice Tiozzo marked the beginning of McCallum’s decline. He ended his superb career in the ring with two defeats, against Roy Jones Jr. and his old rival James Toney—without ever being knocked out.
With an iron chin and the ability to unleash vicious counters and brutal uppercuts to the body, Mike McCallum is probably one of the most underrated champions in boxing history. Despite being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003, his name is far more celebrated by experts and insiders than by casual fans.
Yet many beloved and idolized punchers of the modern era would have seriously risked being neutralized by the great Jamaican, who thrived when pressured head-on and, at his best, gave the impression he could stop a tank.
Mike McCallum left us too soon, but his victories will remain etched in our memory. We’ll never tire of recommending close viewing of his fights to anyone who wishes to uncover the secrets of one of the finest counterpunchers in boxing history.