McCallum vs Harding

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bokaj, Dec 31, 2014.


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  1. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Even a fading McCallum had enough left to beat the plodding, face first Harding. I don't think this was Mike's best performance as he was not facing one of his best opponents. Harding was exciting but very technically limited. The other Harding who fought Jones was a better fighter.
     
    Saad54, Jan 1, 2015
    Saad54, Jan 1, 2015
    #16
  2. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Except for the punch that KO'd Kalambay I wouldn't say that Nunn hit that much harder than Graham. Harder, sure, but not so much it made a terrible difference. Neither put devastating power in their punches, although Nunn showed against Kalambay that he theoretically could.

    Nunn had a major advantage against Graham in size, though, and was very strong. But he wasn't as active through the whole round as Graham on the other hand.

    Faster? I'm not sure. I'd say they were about equally fast, but Nunn moving more size at the same speed might have made his speed look more impressive - which it also makes it.

    McCallum "****ting himself" about the prospect of facing Nunn? The same guy who desperately wanted fights with Hagler and Hearns and who faced Jones three weight classes above his best weight while old and shot? You'd have to come up with a very credible source not to look silly on that one.
     
    Bokaj, Jan 1, 2015
    Bokaj, Jan 1, 2015
    #17
  3. Cobra33

    Cobra33 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Nunn took out Kalambay with one punch.Took out tough Curtis Parker with one punch.Stopped Roldan who was tough.Stopped unbeaten Tate-he hit harder then Graham.
    When Nunn burst on the scene nobody really wanted any parts of him-MCcallum never mentioned the possibility of facing Nunn but would always mention everyone else.Hearns and such would have been a mega payday but Nunn wouldn't have commaned that type of payday.
     
    Cobra33, Jan 2, 2015
    Cobra33, Jan 2, 2015
    #18
  4. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    So that's your source for McCallum "****ting his pants"? Good to know what you're about.
     
    Bokaj, Jan 2, 2015
    Bokaj, Jan 2, 2015
    #19
  5. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    It's hard to fight a stronger opponent with a high work rate that walks through your best punches. All Margarito had was his size, strength, durability and workrate - Harding at least could punches well - but still a prime Floyd didn't seem keen to mix with him at all. Maidana is another one whose a very tough opponent for more skilled fighters. Robinson vs Turpin and Fulmer being other examples.

    These kind of fighters aren't easy to face, especially not if your on your last legs.
     
    Bokaj, Jan 2, 2015
    Bokaj, Jan 2, 2015
    #20
  6. Bobthepen

    Bobthepen Active Member Full Member

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    McCallum ****ting himself? Really?

    He fought Graham and Watson in the UK, Kalambay in Italy, Collins in Boston, and a boatload of French fighters in France. He squared off against wrecking machine Jackson in a fight he was expected to lose.
    Curry was red hot favourite, as was McCrory. He didn't have to fight undefeated knockout artist Jones Jr at light heavy either.

    Perhaps the final piece of the puzzle, McCallum elects to fight Toney, the man that knocked out Nunn six months before.

    Absurd idea he ducked Nunn.
     
    Bobthepen, Jan 2, 2015
    Bobthepen, Jan 2, 2015
    #21
  7. Cobra33

    Cobra33 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    McCallum fought Graham because it was for the vacant title-he had no choice unless he didn't want a title shot and coming off a one sided loss to Kalambay prior he wasn't really in a spot to be to pick and choose.And he won by 1 point.
    Mike McCallum is indeed a great boxer but styles make fights and Nunn was all wrong for McCallum at the time Nunn was champion.
    Nunn just demolished unbeaten Frank Tate,took out a shop worn Roldan and knocked out Kalambay in ONE round.Nunn at this time became an HBO fighter when HBO was head and shoulders above Showtime.Problem was after he destroyed Kalambay not too many people really wanted anything to do with Nunn.
    McCallum wasn't scared of Nunn but the style of Nunn coupled with Nunns speed was a tall order.Add to the fact that while McCallum could have garnered a pretty good payday it wasn't going to be a blockbuster payday and if Im McCallum I look elsewhere for fights.Boxing after all is a business and people outside of boxing forget that.
    As for McCallum heres a couple of things ill point out:McCroy was never favored to beat him,up until he took Curry out Curry-who never was the same boxer after Honeyghan-was picking McCallum apart-the Kalambay rematch Mike got a spit decision and Toneys middleweight reign wasn't all that impressive-he lost to Tiberi and squeaked by Johnson in a bout that should have been a draw.
     
    Cobra33, Jan 6, 2015
    Cobra33, Jan 6, 2015
    #22
  8. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yep, Graham lost only by one point on the judges' cards, but the fight wasn't really that close. Even Graham himself doesn't seem to think so. Actually, McCallum's loss to Kalambay was also a split decision, so if we're going to stare ourselves blind on scorecards...

    I'd also say it's an exaggeration that Curry was picking McCallum apart prior to the KO. Curry was landing the harder shots, but McCallum was doing nice work on the inside. One of the judges and Gil Clancy at ringside actually had McCallum ahead. The second judge had Curry up by a point. And I agree with all of them that it was pretty close. Very much a question if you score for the guy landing the big shots or the one doing the more consistent work. That's why I also can sort of understand the judge that had every round for Curry.
     
    Bokaj, Jan 6, 2015
    Bokaj, Jan 6, 2015
    #23
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