How well would a 168 lb. McClellan do against the early beltholders and contenders Tyson faced pre-Spinks? They are: several journeymen, Tillis, Marvis, Berbick, Smith, Thomas, Tucker, Biggs, Holmes, and Tubbs.
Who knows he was naturally probably a 190lb fighter so he wouldn't have a huge size disadvantage. We don't know how his power would transcend to the heavyweight division. he badly damaged Nigel Benn (Benn was shot after this fight) but he couldn't quite put Benn away. He'd probably lose more than he'd win imo. McCellan had floors in his style. He was somewhat of a front runner and showed some stamina issues against Benn. McCellan also showed to have defensive issues against Benn so the big long jabbers of the 80s wouldn't find it that hard to land on him. Also bare in mind McCellan was ALWAYS THE BIGGER MAN. He was massively bigger than his opponents by weight draining and was probably a natural Light Heavy. His weight draining may have been the reason he suffered such tragic brain damage against Benn although the punches behind the back of the head didn't help. Ironically prior to the Benn fight he told Benns father he'd put his son in the morgue. Brutal puncher, excitement, but a complete air of evil from the 'G-Man' and a complete disregard for life - weather man or animal. Poetic Justice? Sweet Irony? No I take no enjoyment in his injurys but hearing stories about the man can be sickening and I have a a huge tolerance for the 'bad boys' of the sport
