Mike McCallum vs John Mugabi

Mccallum stops him

 

McCallum late tko.

 

McCallum outclasses him to a knock out while winning every round.

 

Agree with McCallum comfortable stoppage. Rounds 6-10 for me. Mugabi may have a moment or two (or not) but McCallum would be too skilled.

Mugabi had enough offensive success against an aging Hagler to keep his head in the game and energy levels up. I think he'd get discouraged against Mike.

 

McCallum. I'd only pick Hearns over him at 154 (or SRR, who obviously could have fought at 154 if that weight class had existed in his time).

 

I'd take Leonard in a heartbeat as well. Benitez would be tough too and then we have myriads of talented guys that could have fought there like Burley, Rodriguez, Griffith, Walker etc.

 

I didn't consider Burley or Rodriguez, but I guess I should have. Most of the others, I did. I don't like Griffith or Walker's chances in giving up so much height and reach to McCallum. Not that they couldn't beat taller guys, but not a taller guy with McCallum's power and ability to maintain distance. Wouldn't be easy wins by any means, but I'd go with McCallum at 154. Benitez is interesting...the more I think about it, the more I'm liking Benitez, especially with the additional power 154 lbs. added to his arsenal. During that window of time from Hope to Hearns, he was better than pretty much anyone at 154 ever.

Leonard though...I mean, I guess if the money was there and he was motivated, he'd have to be the favorite against McCallum. He was pretty underwhelming at 154...Kalule being his only significant win if I'm remembering correctly. In real time though, if Leonard hadn't had the eye problems that interrupted his career, and had continued on a normal career trajectory, rather than just coming out of retirement whenever the money was too good to refuse, or when he saw an opportunity...if he'd continued on normally, he'd probably have been at 154 when McCallum came into his prime. And I'm not seeing him motivated enough, and feel like he'd underestimate McCallum and end up losing, perhaps badly. So with Leonard, you're right in that he was better, and if seriously motivated could have done it, if in the proper frame of mind. Otherwise though, I see it going badly for SRL.

 

I pick McCallum but it would be a good fight

 

The Body Snatcher all day.

 

Cheers for the reply. I just don't like Leonards speed for McCallum. Best for best i'd be confident Leonard wold outspeed him. It's just an opinion tho and i could be wrong.

 

Of course I could be wrong but I personally believethe Hagler fight ended him. I also happen to believe that he suffered a bad eye injury in the Thomas fight.

 

Possibly.

I must confess I was ranting and raving to my friends about Mugabi going up for a Bruno fight. Mugabi was fighting on the undercard and lost in a round to a unknown American... McClellan was his name .


So the embarrassment of being so wrong, soured me to the Beast!

 

The myth of McCallum strikes again.

Around the time Hagler signed to fight Mugabi (who incidentally happened to be the #1 contender for all three of his titles) McCallum was fighting the likes of Sean Mannion, Luigi Minchillo and Marcos Martinez 0-3-0.

He was 2 years away from the knockout of don curry that made people sit up and take notice. Even then many speculated Curry was simply shot. By this time Hagler had lost to SRL and never fought again. There was no room nor reason for one Hagler - McCallum fight let alone three.

 

Hard to call since we didn't see much of prime Leonard at this weight. I don't think his stamina and workrate against Kalule looked like it would hold up over 15 against McCallum, who put a steady pressure on his opponents, but that wasn't much more than a stay busy fight ahead of Hearns, unbelievable as that might seem. So we haven't seen SRL at peak shape at 154.

 

I really enjoyed watching Mugabi fight, that and he gave Hagler hell. But McCallum way to polished and skilled of a fighter, with a great chin for Mugabi.