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McCallum lauded as Jamaica’s ‘best World champion’ boxer
June 02, 2025
After winning boxing titles across three weight divisions -- in a career that spanned nearly 20 years -- the late Jamaican Hall of Fame boxer Mike 'The Body Snatcher' McCallum is said to be the best boxer Jamaica has produced, and that his achievements and performances will not not be matched by any Jamaican for years to come.
McCallum, the Jamaican boxing legend, passed away on Saturday, after feeling ill on his way to a boxing gym in Las Vegas, United States. He was 68 years old.
McCallum, who won the WBA light middleweight, the WBA middleweight and WBC light heavyweight crowns, was the standard bearer for Jamaican boxers throughout the 1980s and 90s.
His amateur career was just as impressive, winning gold at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1978, after claiming the silver medal four years earlier.
He also won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1978, but finished with a silver at the Pan American Games a year later.
General Secretary of the Jamaica Boxing Association (JABA), Leroy Brown, who managed many of the Jamaican teams -- of which McCallum was a member -- said the fighter is the best Jamaica has produced.
"He was definitely the best World champion Jamaica has made. He was able to win some very good fights. Definitely the best World champion we have had, no ifs or doubts about it," Brown stated.
"He was definitely Jamaica's top professional. He really was a superb orthodox boxer. Everything came off the jab. He would throw the jab and then hook to the body, both left and right. This was his trademark. At times he would just jab, hook, jab, hook, with the same hand. And at times he would give a jab, jab, then a left hook to the body and a right hook to the head," Brown assessed.
"He perfected that combination punch. And he was one of the best orthodox boxers in the world.
"Without a doubt, Jamaica's number one World champion," he added.
After losing the Panam title fight in 1979, McCallum was unable to participate in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, after he came down with a serious illness.
He decided soon afterwards to step into the professional ranks, and Brown said he left an indelible mark.
He pointed to McCallum's second-round knockout of fellow Hall of Famer Julian Jackson, who had dominated the first round, before McCallum came back and stopped him in the second round; and his fifth-round flooring of Donald Curry, who was ahead on all three scorecards after four rounds in 1987.
BIGGEST MOMENTS
"He had two knockouts. When he knocked out Julian Jackson and Curry. These were two of the biggest moments in his career.
"These were dangerous opponents and he knocked them out. His knockout over Curry is rated one of the best in boxing history and is still one of the highlights in boxing history," Brown added.
Former JABA executive and manager of the Stanley Couch Gym in downtown Kingston, Kingsley 'Bunny' Goodison, also said McCallum was simply the best and that his exploits in the ring will not be matched by any Jamaican any time soon.
"Mike was the best thing Jamaica has produced, the best boxer Jamaica has produced. He went through the amateur ranks with flying colours... a great youth," Goodison commented.
"His confidence was everything, everything about him instilled confidence, very confident person.
"He was just great. Great. I don't think anyone will surpass him, no Jamaican. Not in our lifetime will we see a Jamaican surpass that. He was just a great human being."
Sports Minister Olivia Grange said McCallum's passing was a sad moment for Jamaicans.
"It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica's three-time World boxing champion, Michael McKenzie McCallum," she said.
"I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sports, I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican," her comments read.
The WBA also paid tribute to the Jamaican, saying he was one of the best technical fighters of his time.
"Rest in Peace to the legendary Mike 'The Body Snatcher' McCallum. Former WBA World champion and one of the most technically gifted fighters of his era. Thank you for the fights, the lessons, and the greatness."
McCallum was inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in 2003, after a total of 55 fights, which included 49 wins (36 by knockout), five losses and one draw.
