How highly do you rate Mike McCallum?

Lol. Ya, he's funny

 

100% truth

 

This is exactly the reason why I dont like McCallum personally. He wasnt even on the radar at 160 when Hagler retired and when he fought at 160, lost to Kalambay. He should just shut his ****ing trap

 

I don't agree with you often, but right on the money with this one. There is no argument whatsoever for Hagler ducking or avoiding McCallum. Absolute hindsight revision from hegrant to imply that.

 

Again, you are someone I disagree with quite a bit, but you are spot on here.

 

Hagler ducked no one at MW. Post 85 Hagler had cemented his legacy and
Hagler was looking for cash out fights. And nobody could begrudge Hagler
this after a legendary career.

 

I wouldn't say he ducked anyone at the tail either. Hearns-Mugabi-SRL isn't ducking.

 

So I guess in McCallum`s mind Duran should have defended against him for pocket change rather unify with Hearns for $$$$$$.

 

McCallums mostly full of it. On the way up he was actually considered a "head case" in boxing circles.

 

good but not great. I try not to complicate these matters

and nobody ducked him. he had as much flavor as Micheal Spinks

 

I remember watching Mike McCallum on Network TV one day take apart Michael Watson. It was masterful. It reminds me of some of Sweet Pea`s great performances.

 

No doubt at all McCallum was a superb fighter. He'd fit nicely into the mix in just about any era.

 

Right. Kinda like a "Full House" in poker. Got to hold some real good cards to beat him.

 

Absolutely.

 

Contentious point here, but I think it was Mcvey who described Buddy McGirt as a very, very good fighter, as close to being great as you can be without actually being great and I wonder also if McCallum may fit that category.

For me, he needed that one truly marquee win to elevate him to the same level as the true greats like Leonard, Hagler and Hearns. He didn't get the opportunity in his prime so we'll never know if he could have been that great. And simply because of that, he's not.