Mike McCallum Faced Roy Jones And James Toney But Said One Man Was Stronger
Throughout his boxing journey, Mike McCallum encountered prominent fighters like Roy Jones Jr and James Toney, yet he identified one contender who was mightier than the renowned American pair. Jones and Toney made an impressive impact on the sport in the 1990s, establishing themselves as two of the premier active boxers during this remarkable period in boxing lore. They faced off in an electrifying domestic clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in November 1994, where Jones showcased dominance over his compatriot, winning via unanimous decision to seize the IBF super-middleweight championship. The Florida-born fighter would later achieve more legacy-affirming victories in subsequent years, besting fighters such as McCallum, Montell Griffin, and Virgil Hill. In an interview with The Ring Magazine, McCallum provided an unexpected response when asked to name the toughest opponent he ever faced, citing three-time world title challenger Michael Watson over Toney and Jones. “Oh my God, he was so strong. That’s why that fight was so tough. It was an intense battle, 11 rounds of relentless action.” Watson faced McCallum for the WBA middleweight championship in April 1990 but ultimately lost in an exhilarating fight, succumbing to a 12th round stoppage at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The career of ‘The Force’ was tragically ended when he endured a life-altering brain injury after his rematch with fellow countryman Chris Eubank in September 1991.
Published: 2026-01-02 20:31:00
source: www.secondsout.com
