| Oliver McCall | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Oliver McCall |
| Nickname(s) | The Atomic Bull |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Reach | 82 in (208 cm)[1] |
| Nationality | United States |
| Born | April 21, 1965 Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 69 |
| Wins | 56 |
| Wins by KO | 37 |
| Losses | 11 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 2 |
Oliver "The Atomic Bull" McCall (born April 21, 1965) is an American professional Heavyweight boxer best known for winning the WBC Heavyweight Championship in 1994 after scoring an upset knock out victory over Lennox Lewis, in Lewis' home town of London, England, followed by his infamous in-ring meltdown in the rematch. In a long rollercoaster career that has been blighted by drug addiction and almost constant legal troubles, McCall has served as the chief sparring partner for a peak Mike Tyson, then later come into his own as a professional, defeating Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, Lionel Butler, Bruce Seldon, Jesse Ferguson, Francesco Damiani, Oleg Maskaev, Henry Akinwande, Przemyslaw Saleta, Sinan Samil Sam, and Fres Oquendo.
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McCall had a strong amateur career prior to turning pro, twice a winner of the Chicago Golden Gloves.
Known as "The Atomic Bull", McCall turned pro in 1985 and slowly worked his way up the heavyweight ranks. 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 aggressive 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.
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 115-112 115-114 and 114-113 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 disinterested 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.
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 with a sneaky right hand. A month later McCall beat James Stanton in 6 rounds.
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.[2] 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 high profile 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.
Despite his legal troubles, Oliver's career has since 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 (currently held by Vitali Klitschko). 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 is a fringe contender with a impressive 27-2-1 record, however he hasn't fought anyone on McCall's level before. The former world champion lost the bout by unanimous decision, with the scores of 117-111 twice and 119-109. It was McCall's first loss since his comeback in 2009.
Although never knocked down as a professional boxer, McCall's career has been mottled by several stints in drug rehabilitation facilities [3] 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.[4]
Police told reporters that McCall had in his possession a glass pipe and a five-dollar bill containing a small amount of cocaine. They say the 40-year-old McCall later spat at an officer and threatened to kill him.[5]
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. McCall's attorney, Roger P. Foley, was able to have him reinstated on his previous probationary term, modified to include a drug and psychological evaluation followed by any necessary treatment. Oliver McCall and Attorney RP Foley coincidentally have formed a strong friendship and have been found training together in Plantation, Florida. The same attorney, Roger P. Foley, has become a strength and conditioning coach for McCall. On December 16,2011, Lawyer Foley was successful in having McCall's probation terminated. McCall has been alcohol and drug free for all of 2011 and his legal issues are finally behind him.
McCall was raised on the South Side of Chicago, and is married with four daughters and three sons. He has two children currently in high school, one daughter: Jeneva McCall who is currently fifth best in the state of Illinois for discus throw and one son: Mikael McCall who is currently a freshman running back for the University of Iowa. McCall has one other son, Elijah McCall is currently a professional boxer as well.
| 56 Wins (37 knockouts, 19 decisions), 11 Losses (1 knockout, 10 decisions), 0 Draws, 2 No Contests [6] | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| Win | 56-11 2 NC |
Damian Wills | UD | 10 | 20/08/2011 | Houston Athletic Fencing Center, Houston, Texas, United States | Won vacant WBF International Heavyweight title. |
| Loss | 55-11 2 NC |
Cedric Boswell | UD | 10 | 18/03/2011 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States | For vacant NABA Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 55-10 2 NC |
Fres Oquendo | SD | 12 | 07/12/2010 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States | Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight title. |
| Loss | 54-10 2 NC |
Timur Ibragimov | UD | 12 | 15/06/2010 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States | For vacant NABA Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 54–9 2 NC |
Lance Whitaker | UD | 10 | 23/10/2009 | The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Retained IBA Continental Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 53–9 2 NC |
Franklin Lawrence | UD | 10 | 21/08/2009 | The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Retained IBA Continental Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 52–9 2 NC |
John Hopoate | TKO | 2 (10) | 22/05/2009 | The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won vacant IBA Continental Heavyweight title. |
| Loss | 51–9 2 NC |
Juan Carlos Gómez | UD | 12 | 19/10/2007 | Estrel Convention Center, Neukölln, Berlin, Germany | Lost WBC International Heavyweight title. WBC Heavyweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 51–8 2 NC |
Sinan Şamil Sam | UD | 12 | 16/06/2007 | Atatürk Sport Salonu, Ankara, Turkey | Won WBC International Heavyweight title. WBC Heavyweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 50–8 2 NC |
Marion Wilson | UD | 8 | 24/02/2007 | ABC Sports Complex, Springfield, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 49–8 2 NC |
Yanqui Díaz | KO | 7 (10) | 09/12/2006 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 48–8 2 NC |
Darroll Wilson | TKO | 4 (12) | 03/09/2006 | Louisville Gardens, Louisville, Kentucky, United States | Won vacant WBC FECARBOX Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 47–8 2 NC |
Kenny Craven | TKO | 1 (10) | 30/06/2006 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 46–8 2 NC |
Wallace McDaniel | TKO | 3 (8) | 27/05/2006 | The Plex, North Charleston, South Carolina, United States | |
| NC | 45–8 2 NC |
Juan Carlos Gómez | NC | 10 | 15/10/2005 | Mehrzweckhalle Süd, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany | Originally Gomez won UD but NC because his drug test was positive. |
| Win | 45–8 1 NC |
Przemysław Saleta | TKO | 4 (10) | 13/08/2005 | United Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 44–8 1 NC |
Kelvin Hale | UD | 8 | 10/05/2005 | Kennel Club, Sarasota, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 43–8 1 NC |
Cornelius Ellis | UD | 8 | 16/04/2005 | M.C. Benton Jr. Convention Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 42–8 1 NC |
Marion Wilson | DQ | 6 (8) | 05/02/2005 | Washington State Convention Center, Washington, D.C., United States | |
| Loss | 41–8 1 NC |
DaVarryl Williamson | UD | 10 | 13/11/2004 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, United States | |
| Win | 41–7 1 NC |
Vernon Woodward | TKO | 3 (8) | 25/09/2004 | Fire Lake Casino, Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 40–7 1 NC |
Dennis McKinney | TKO | 3 (?) | 24/04/2003 | The Plex, North Charleston, South Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 39–7 1 NC |
Henry Akinwande | KO | 10 (10) | 17/11/2001 | Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 38–7 1 NC |
Matt Green | TKO | 1 (?) | 29/09/2001 | Martinsville, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 37–7 1 NC |
Sedreck Fields | SD | 10 | 11/08/2000 | Paris Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 36–7 1 NC |
Marcus McIntyre | KO | 3 (10) | 25/05/2001 | Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States | |
| Win | 35–7 1 NC |
Ric Lainhart | TKO | 1 (10) | 12/02/2001 | Davidson Theater, Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 34–7 1 NC |
Will Hinton | TKO | 1 (10) | 18/12/1999 | Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States | |
| NC | 33–7 1 NC |
Samson Cohen | NC | 2 (?) | 25/09/1999 | Bassett High School, Bassett, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 33–7 | Samson Cohen | KO | 1 (?) | 24/02/1998 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 32–7 | Abdul Muhaymin | UD | 10 | 03/02/1998 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 31–7 | Mike Acklie | KO | 1 (?) | 06/01/1998 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 30–7 | Mike DeVito | TKO | 2 (8) | 16/12/1997 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 29–7 | Brian Yates | TKO | 8 (10) | 04/11/1997 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Loss | 28–7 | Lennox Lewis | TKO | 5 (10) | 07/02/1997 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For vacant WBC Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 28–6 | James Stanton | TKO | 6 (10) | 23/03/1996 | Miami Arena, Miami, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 27–6 | Oleg Maskaev | TKO | 1 (10) | 24/02/1996 | Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, United States | |
| Loss | 26–6 | Frank Bruno | UD | 12 | 02/09/1995 | Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | Lost WBC Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 26–5 | Larry Holmes | UD | 12 | 08/04/1995 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Retained WBC Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 25–5 | Lennox Lewis | TKO | 2 (12) | 24/09/1994 | Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | Won WBC Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 24–5 | Dan Murphy | TKO | 1 (?) | 26/02/1994 | Earls Court Exhibition Hall, Kensington, London, England, United Kingdom | |
| Win | 23–5 | Art Card | KO | 1 (?) | 18/12/1993 | Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, Puebla, Mexico | |
| Win | 22–5 | Francesco Damiani | TKO | 8 (10) | 23/04/1993 | The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 21–5 | Mike Dixon | TKO | 2 (?) | 30/01/1993 | The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 20–5 | Lawrence Carter | KO | 3 (10) | 30/01/1993 | Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 19–5 | Tony Tucker | SD | 12 | 26/06/1992 | CSU Convention Centre, Cleveland, Ohio, United States | For NABF Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 19–4 | Mike Rouse | TKO | 4 (10) | 15/02/1992 | Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 18–4 | Jesse Ferguson | UD | 10 | 08/08/1991 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 17–4 | Danny Wofford | TKO | 5 (?) | 08/06/1991 | Civic Center, Salem, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 16–4 | Bruce Seldon | TKO | 9 (10) | 18/04/1991 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 15–4 | Orlin Norris | SD | 10 | 17/11/1990 | Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 15–3 | Lionel Butler | SD | 10 | 16/07/1990 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 14–3 | Buster Douglas | UD | 10 | 21/07/1989 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 14–2 | Bruce Johnson | KO | 1 (10) | 01/10/1988 | International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 | Wesley Smith | TKO | 2 (10) | 16/09/1988 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 12–2 | David Jaco | UD | 10 | 30/06/1988 | Pavilion Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States | |
| Loss | 11–2 | Mike Hunter | UD | 10 | 22/01/1988 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 | Kim Adams | TKO | 2 (8) | 30/08/1987 | Americana Congress Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 | Richard Scott | KO | 2 (8) | 11/08/1987 | UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Tim Morrison | KO | 1 (6) | 30/05/1987 | DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Fred Whitaker | UD | 6 | 21/03/1987 | DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Al Evans | UD | 6 | 16/12/1986 | Condesa Del Mar, Alsip, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Bashir Wadud | UD | 6 | 25/10/1986 | DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Larry Roberson | TKO | 1 (4) | 13/09/1986 | DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | James Churn | KO | 1 (4) | 14/08/1986 | Americana Congress Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Kimmuel Odum | MD | 4 | 14/08/1986 | DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Felix Shorter | TKO | 2 (4) | 18/01/1986 | DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Joey Christjohn | UD | 4 | 06/12/1985 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Lou Bailey | TKO | 1 (4) | 02/11/1985 | Odeum, Villa Park, Illinois, United States | |
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lennox Lewis |
WBC Heavyweight Championship September 24, 1994 – September 2, 1995 |
Succeeded by Frank Bruno |