Former three-weight world champion and Hall of Fame boxer Mike McCallum left a void in the world of combat sports following his demise on Saturday, May 31 2025, at the age of 68. Nicknamed the Bodysnatcher , the fighter was known for his vicious punches to his opponent's bodies, which made him one of the most feared middleweight contenders of all time. The Ring Magazine included the Jamaican boxer in the list of top 10 middleweight titleholders of the last 50 years in 2011.
Mike McCallum won world titles across three different weight categories, was inducted as into the International Hall of Fame in 2003Even though the veteran fighter had started long back as a fighter in 1974, however, his professional career saw its inception in the year 1981. He soon became the world champion by defeating Sean Mannion for the vacant WBA super welterweight title, also becoming the first Jamaican to win a world title. Throughout his career, Mike McCallum fought across several weight categories like light middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight, gathering significant accolades in each one of them. Having won world titles across three different weight categories, including middleweight and light heavyweight, his pro-boxing record stands at 49-5-1. McCallum was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
Even though the reason behind the unfortunate demise of the player has not been revealed yet, however, preliminary reports state that the fighter fell ill while traveling to his gym and pulled off the street owing to his sudden, severe condition. McCallum became unresponsive for a while when the police found him and was later announced dead on Saturday.
Commenting on the severe loss faced by the Jamaican community of combat sports, the Sports Minister, Olivia Grange, released a statement that said, “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 further expressed her condolences towards the athlete’s family, “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.”
Also read: Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili reveals his next possible opponent after facing former champ Sean O’Malley at UFC 316
Mike McCallum changed the face of the Jamaican boxing scenario with his title wins. In his professional record, the fighter has a total of 36 knockouts, with not a single one directed at him. His last ever bout was against James Toney in the cruiserweight category, where the former lost by a unanimous decision. Post his retirement, the fighter moved to Las Vegas, where he became a trainer.
Mike McCallum won world titles across three different weight categories, was inducted as into the International Hall of Fame in 2003Even though the veteran fighter had started long back as a fighter in 1974, however, his professional career saw its inception in the year 1981. He soon became the world champion by defeating Sean Mannion for the vacant WBA super welterweight title, also becoming the first Jamaican to win a world title. Throughout his career, Mike McCallum fought across several weight categories like light middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight, gathering significant accolades in each one of them. Having won world titles across three different weight categories, including middleweight and light heavyweight, his pro-boxing record stands at 49-5-1. McCallum was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
Even though the reason behind the unfortunate demise of the player has not been revealed yet, however, preliminary reports state that the fighter fell ill while traveling to his gym and pulled off the street owing to his sudden, severe condition. McCallum became unresponsive for a while when the police found him and was later announced dead on Saturday.
“The Bodysnatcher” Mike McCallum 🇯🇲. When we talk about certified boxing legends, the legendary world champion from Jamaica is one of them. My oldest brother and my Dad were big fans of this guy right here. RIP🙏🏾 to one of the best to ever lace up a pair of boxing gloves🥊💯. pic.twitter.com/ebOJTGnkjY
— Adams Boxing Show (@AdamsBoxingShow) June 1, 2025
Commenting on the severe loss faced by the Jamaican community of combat sports, the Sports Minister, Olivia Grange, released a statement that said, “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 further expressed her condolences towards the athlete’s family, “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.”
Also read: Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili reveals his next possible opponent after facing former champ Sean O’Malley at UFC 316
Mike McCallum changed the face of the Jamaican boxing scenario with his title wins. In his professional record, the fighter has a total of 36 knockouts, with not a single one directed at him. His last ever bout was against James Toney in the cruiserweight category, where the former lost by a unanimous decision. Post his retirement, the fighter moved to Las Vegas, where he became a trainer.
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