Mike McCallum vs Sumbu Kalambay 2, thoughts and scoring?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Devon, Nov 13, 2025.


Was the verdict fair?

  1. Yes

    88.9%
  2. No

    11.1%
  1. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    What did you think? How did you score the fight? And was the result fair?
     
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  2. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I've only watched it once but I didn't score it RBR but my impression was that it was a fair decision.

    McCallum from memory won pretty much all the rounds in the first half of the fight. And then Kalambay came on strong in the later rounds but I don't think Kalambay's late rally was quite enough.

    I think McCallum edging the fight by 1 or 2 points was about right.
     
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  3. Cobra33

    Cobra33 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I thought Kalambay edged it out.
    But I thought Heorl got robbed in his 2nd bout vs Kalambay.
     
  4. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I've scored it several times and this is how I have it. A close but clear decision.

    And an absolute technical masterpiece from both.
     
  5. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    Here’s my card from some time ago:


    Mike McCallum v Sumbu Kalambay 2

    Plenty of close rounds but I felt Kalambay lost his way in the middle rounds where McCallum got on top and banked enough rounds to take the decision overall.

    I think Kalambay lacked some of the sharpness he had in the first fight. Maybe the 3 years that had passed since the first fight had the bigger impact on him than McCallum.

    Another good fight but these two were so well matched that I can't say one fighter was clearly superior to the other.

    1 10-10
    2 10-9
    3 9-10
    4 10-9 (close)
    5 9-10 (close)
    6 10-9 (good round from McCallum)
    7 10-9 (McCallum starting to get on top)
    8 9-10 (close)
    9 10-9 (Kalambay not as sharp as in the first fight. McCallum the busier)
    10 10-9
    11 9-10 (Kalambay's best round for a while)
    12 9-10 (close)

    McCallum 115-114 Kalambay
     
  6. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Terrific two way chess match that was close but I recall scoring the rematch in McCallum's favor due to having a better start in the first half of the fight. Kalambay did very well in the second half of the fight but he came on a little too late IMO.
     
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Herol definitely got robbed in the Kalambay rematch.
    I was pissed there for Herol s sake.
     
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  8. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    I think he lost 2 points for non-existent fouls didn’t he, Fergy?
     
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  9. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Something like that mate.
    It was all against him that night, can't blame Graham for being pissed off.
     
  10. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I’ve never scored it. Sumbu definitely deserved the first one.

    Since the honorable @Jel has already weighed in, calling in reinforcements: @scartissue and @AntonioMartin1 get in here!
     
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