Oliver McCall


Oliver McCall is an American professional boxer. A veteran of the sport for over three decades, he is best known for winning the WBC heavyweight title in 1994 by scoring an upset knockout victory over Lennox Lewis. The next year he defended the title against Larry Holmes before losing it to Frank Bruno. McCall would also become known for an in-ring mental breakdown during his 1997 rematch with Lewis. McCall's son, Elijah, is also a heavyweight professional boxer.

Early life

Born in Chicago, McCall moved to live with his mother in Racine, Wisconsin and attended William Horlick High School, before transferring to Washington Park High School. McCall was also a talented high school basketball player. In 1981, however, McCall moved back to Chicago where he pursued boxing and won two Chicago Golden Gloves titles.

Amateur career

At the amateur ranks McCall competed in super heavyweight division

Highlights

, Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock, Arkansas, March 1985:
Chicago Championships, Clarendon Park, Chicago, Illinois, April 1985:
5th Sarge Johnson Memorial Boxing Tournament, Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, July 1985:
Known as "The Atomic Bull", McCall turned pro in 1985 and slowly worked his way up the heavyweight ranks. His trainer at that time was the retired champion Joe Frazier. His eighth opponent was Al Evans, who scored a TKO victory over Mike Tyson in 1981, McCall won by a unanimous decision. He beat Jesse Ferguson and future heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon and lost a very close decision to Tony Tucker before landing the shot against Lewis in 1994. After a close first round McCall came out aggressively in the second and landed his signature counter right hand as Lewis moved forward. Lewis dropped to the canvas and got up before the count of ten, but he was unsteady on his feet, forcing the referee to wave a stop to the fight. In spite of the Lewis camp protests, Boxing Monthly editor Glyn Leach pointed out that Lewis "only seemed to recover his senses once the fight was waved off," and that "in the opinions of everyone I spoke to at ringside, the decision was correct."
McCall's win over Lewis marked Don King's return to power in the heavyweight division, since none of his stable of fighters had been able to win the heavyweight title since Mike Tyson lost it in 1990 He successfully defended the title in a bout against 45-year-old ex-champ Larry Holmes in Las Vegas winning 114–113, 115–114, and 115–112 on the score cards, before returning to London to face Frank Bruno in 1995.
During a press conference before the fight McCall claimed he was going to get revenge for America after Gerald McClellan had been rendered brain damaged after a fight with Nigel Benn a few months earlier. He had claimed that he was going to hurt Bruno and that the only thing Bruno would be able to do was throw illegal rabbit punches.
The fight took place at the old Wembley stadium. Bruno started off well, working behind the jab and landing some big right hands. McCall seemed uninterested in fighting and lagged far behind on the score cards going into the latter rounds. By round 9 Bruno had built up a big lead on the score cards and looked comfortably in charge. McCall finally sparked into life in round 10 perhaps realizing that he was behind on the score cards. McCall landed several big punches over the final 3 rounds and had Bruno in trouble several times but Bruno managed to hold on and win the title by a unanimous decision.
This gave McCall the distinction of becoming the first Heavyweight champion in history to both win and lose the title to a British fighter, and also the first American Heavyweight champion to have both won and lost the title in Britain.
McCall returned to the ring 6 months after losing his title when he beat future WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev in less than 3 minutes. By that time his trainers were Greg Page and George Benton. A month later after defeating Maskaev, McCall beat James Stanton in 6 rounds.

Lewis vs. McCall II

Lewis and McCall squared off again on February 7, 1997, in Las Vegas. In a bizarre fight, McCall refused to fight in the fourth and fifth rounds, beginning to cry and eventually forcing the referee to stop the fight and award Lewis the victory. The referee for the fight, Mills Lane, stated in an interview after the match, "In the third round, he got in close, and then seemed frustrated, and then he just backed off and put his arms down.... I thought he was playing possum but then I saw his lips started to quiver and I thought, 'My God, is he crying?'" Lane stopped the fight when McCall had refused to defend himself for several rounds.
In 2001 at the age of 36 he resurrected his career with a tenth-round knockout of Henry Akinwande, at the time one of the most avoided contenders in the world, on a Lennox Lewis undercard in Las Vegas. McCall was ranked number 4 in the world off this performance, but was arrested shortly afterwards and imprisoned for over a year, losing his ranking.
In December 2004 he lost a close points decision to fellow contender DaVarryl Williamson on a high-profile Don King undercard from New York, and in 2005 he traveled to Germany for an eliminator to skillful and well regarded Cuban Juan Carlos Gomez, and was outpointed over ten rounds. However this loss was removed from McCall's record as Gomez later failed a drug test.

Aiming for another shot at the title

Despite his legal troubles, Oliver's career continued. He began his next run at a title with a first-round TKO of Kenny Craven in June 2006.
McCall defeated Darroll Wilson in a fourth-round TKO in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 9, 2006, for the WBC Fecarbox Championship.
On December 9, 2006, McCall defeated Yanqui Diaz via seventh-round KO in Hollywood, Florida.
On 16 June 2007, McCall defeated Sinan Samil Sam for the WBC International Heavyweight Championship by unanimous decision in Ankara, Turkey. This guaranteed him a shot at the WBC Heavyweight Championship. However, McCall took a fight with slick Cuban fighter Juan Carlos Gomez, a fight which McCall lost. As a result, Gomez took his place as the WBC's next mandatory challenger.
The long inactive McCall defeated Australian John Hopoate by 2nd-round TKO on the May 22, 2009, for the vacant IBA intercontinental heavyweight belt. McCall dominated the fight and knocked Hopoate down twice.
He defended his IBA continental belt against Franklin Lawrence by a ten-round unanimous decision on August 21, 2009, at the Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.
On October 23, 2009, he defended his IBA continental title again by a ten-round unanimous decision against 6'8" Lance Whitaker.
McCall's next opponent was Timur Ibragimov. The two fought at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida. Ibragimov was a fringe contender with a 27-2-1 record. McCall lost the bout by unanimous decision, with the scores of 117–111 twice and 119–109. It was his first loss since his comeback in 2009.

Legal troubles

McCall's career has been mottled by several stints in drug rehabilitation facilities and arrests for disorderly behavior. He has attempted numerous comebacks, though the efforts have repeatedly been frustrated by run-ins with the law.
In January 2006 he was arrested by police in Nashville, Tennessee, who say they had to use a Taser on McCall after he tried running away from officers trying to arrest him for trespassing in a public housing development.
Police officers informed the media that McCall had in his possession a glass pipe and a five-dollar bill containing a small amount of cocaine. They further stated that the 40-year-old McCall later spat at an officer and threatened to kill him.He was held on $299,000 bond and charged with criminal trespass, resisting arrest, assaulting police officers, threatening to kill an officer, and being a fugitive from justice on charges in his home state of Virginia. He was released on May 8, 2006.
On the weekend before his scheduled fight with Zuri Lawrence at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in nearby Hollywood, Florida, McCall was arrested for possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia in Fort Lauderdale, preventing him from fighting. He was ultimately sentenced to probation. McCall was able to get another big fight, this time against Fres Oquendo, scheduled for December 7, 2010. McCall won in a split decision over the favored Oquendo.
On December 9, 2010, two days after his latest victory, McCall was again arrested in Fort Lauderdale for possession of cannabis and a violation of a municipal ordinance, causing him to violate the terms of his probation stemming from the February cocaine charge. As a result of the probation violation, McCall was facing six years in Florida State Prison. The Law Office of Roger P. Foley, P.A. represented McCall and was able to have him reinstated on his previous probationary term, modified to include a drug and psychological evaluation followed by any necessary treatment. On December 16, 2011, McCall's probation was terminated.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
74Win58–14 Larry KnightUD6Nov 30, 2018 HEB Tennis Centre, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
73Loss57–14 Marcin RekowskiUD10Apr 26, 2014 Arena Legionowo, Legionowo, Poland
72Win57–13 Marcin RekowskiSD8Feb 1, 2014 Hala Okrąglak, Opole, Poland
71Loss56–13 Krzysztof ZimnochUD8May 18, 2013 Arena Legionowo, Legionowo, Poland
70Loss56–12 Francesco PianetaUD10May 16, 2012 Brandenburg-Halle, Frankfurt, Germany
69Win56–11 Damian WillsUD10Aug 20, 2011 Athletic Fencing Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.Won vacant WBF Intercontinental heavyweight title
68Loss55–11 Cedric BoswellUD10Mar 18, 2011 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.For vacant WBA–NABA and WBC Latino heavyweight titles
67Win55–10 Fres OquendoSD12Dec 7, 2010 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
66Loss54–10 Timur IbragimovUD12Jun 15, 2010 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.For vacant WBA–NABA heavyweight title
65Win54–9 Lance WhitakerUD10Oct 23, 2009 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
64Win53–9 Franklin LawrenceUD10Aug 21, 2009 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
63Win52–9 John HopoateTKO2, 1:26May 22, 2009 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
62Loss51–9 Juan Carlos GómezUD12Oct 19, 2007 Estrel Hotel, Berlin, GermanyLost WBC International heavyweight title
61Win51–8 Sinan Şamil SamUD12Jun 16, 2007 Atatürk Sport Hall, Ankara, TurkeyWon WBC International heavyweight title
60Win50–8 Marion WilsonUD8Feb 24, 2007 ABC Sports Complex, Springfield, Virginia, U.S.
59Win49–8 Yanqui DíazKO7, 2:28Dec 9, 2006 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
58Win48–8 Darroll WilsonTKO4, 0:40Sep 3, 2006 Louisville Gardens, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.Won vacant WBC FECARBOX heavyweight title
57Win47–8 Kenny CravenTKO1, 1:09Jun 30, 2006 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
56Win46–8 Wallace McDanielTKO3, 1:37May 27, 2006 The Plex, North Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
55NC45–8 Juan Carlos GómezUD10Oct 15, 2005 Burg-Wächter Castello, Düsseldorf, GermanyOriginally a UD win for Gómez, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
54Win45–8 Przemysław SaletaTKO4, 2:40Aug 13, 2005 United Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
53Win44–8 Kelvin HaleUD8May 10, 2005 Kennel Club, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
52Win43–8 Cornelius EllisUD8Apr 16, 2005 M.C. Benton Jr. Convention Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
51Win42–8 Marion Wilson6 Feb 5, 2005 Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.Wilson disqualified for repeated holding
50Loss41–8 DaVarryl WilliamsonUD10Nov 13, 2004 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
49Win41–7 Vernon WoodwardTKO3, 1:26Sep 25, 2004 Firelake Casino, Shawnee, Oklahoma, U.S.
48Win40–7 Dennis McKinneyTKO3 Apr 24, 2003 The Plex, North Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
47Win39–7 Henry AkinwandeKO10, 2:13Nov 17, 2001 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
46Win38–7 Matt GreenTKO1, 1:38Sep 29, 2001 Martinsville, Virginia, U.S.
45Win37–7 Sedreck FieldsSD10Aug 11, 2000 Paris Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
44Win36–7 Marcus McIntyreKO3, 0:57May 25, 2001 Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
43Win35–7 Ric LainhartTKO1, 2:25Feb 12, 2001 Jim Davidson Theatre, Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.
42Win34–7 Will HintonTKO1, 1:17Dec 18, 1999 Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
4133–7 Samson CohenNC2 Sep 25, 1999 High School, Bassett, Virginia, U.S.NC after Cohen was unable to continue due to falling out of the ring
40Win33–7 Samson CohenKO1 Feb 24, 1998 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
39Win32–7 Abdul MuhayminUD10Feb 3, 1998 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
38Win31–7 Mike AcklieKO1 Jan 6, 1998 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
37Win30–7 Mike DeVitoTKO2 Dec 16, 1997 Music City Mix Factory, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
36Win29–7 Brian YatesTKO8 Nov 4, 1997 Music City Mix Factory, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
35Loss28–7 Lennox LewisTKO5, 0:55Feb 7, 1997 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.For vacant WBC heavyweight title
34Win28–6 James Stanton6, 0:01Mar 23, 1996 Miami Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S.
33Win27–6 Oleg MaskayevTKO1, 1:38Feb 24, 1996 Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
32Loss26–6 Frank BrunoUD12Sep 2, 1995 Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandLost WBC heavyweight title
31Win26–5 Larry HolmesUD12Apr 8, 1995 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC heavyweight title
30Win25–5 Lennox LewisTKO2, 0:31Sep 24, 1994 Wembley Arena, London, EnglandWon WBC heavyweight title
29Win24–5 Dan MurphyTKO1 Feb 26, 1994 Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, England
28Win23–5 Art CardKO1 Dec 18, 1993 Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla City, Mexico
27Win22–5 Francesco DamianiTKO8, 1:09Apr 23, 1993 The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
26Win21–5 Mike DixonTKO2, 2:48Jan 30, 1993 The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
25Win20–5 Lawrence CarterKO3 Jan 30, 1993 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
24Loss19–5 Tony TuckerSD12Jun 26, 1992 CSU Convocation Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.For NABF heavyweight title
23Win19–4 Mike RouseTKO4, 2:54Feb 15, 1992 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
22Win18–4 Jesse FergusonUD10Aug 8, 1991 Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21Win17–4 Danny WoffordTKO5 Jun 8, 1991 Civic Center, Salem, Virginia, U.S.
20Win16–4 Bruce SeldonTKO9, 2:37Apr 18, 1991 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19Loss15–4 Orlin NorrisSD10Nov 17, 1990 Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
18Win15–3 Lionel Butler10Jul 16, 1990 Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
17Loss14–3 Buster DouglasUD10Jul 21, 1989 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16Win14–2 Bruce JohnsonKO1, 2:05Oct 1, 1988 International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
15Win13–2 Wesley SmithTKO2 Sep 16, 1988 Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
14Win12–2 David JacoUD10Jun 30, 1988 Pavilion Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
13Loss11–2 Mike HunterUD6Jan 22, 1988 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win11–1 Kim AdamsTKO2, 0:51Aug 30, 1987 Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
11Win10–1 Richard ScottKO2, 2:50Aug 11, 1987 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
10Win9–1 Tim MorrisonKO1, 1:01May 30, 1987 DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
9Win8–1 Fred WhitakerUD6Mar 21, 1987 DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
8Win7–1 Al EvansUD6Dec 16, 1986 Condesa Del Mar, Alsip, Illinois, U.S.
7Win6–1 Bashir WadudUD6Oct 25, 1986 DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
6Win5–1 Larry RobersonTKO1, 2:31Sep 13, 1986 DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
5Win4–1 James Churn1, 1:19Aug 14, 1986 Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
4Win3–1 Kimmuel Odum4Aug 14, 1986 DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
3Win2–1 Felix ShorterTKO2 Jan 18, 1986 DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
2Loss1–1 Joey Christjohn4Dec 6, 1985 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
1Win1–0 Lou Bailey1, 2:35Nov 2, 1985 Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, Illinois, U.S.