I think he deserves an own thread ! Here is why: He started boxing in 1995 when he was 25 years old. He didnt let himself get frustrated by getting knocked out in the 1st round in his 2nd pro fight. Imho he beat Michael Grant legitimate. It was a clear knockdown, and even if Grant wouldnt have suffered this injury, he would have been in big trouble and probably lost. He had respectable wins vs. Cole, Boswell, Briggs, Whittaker and Shufford. He held his own in what was getting an interesting fight vs. Valuev. Before his injury he did pretty damn well. I was very dissappointed when the injury happened, because it looked like McCline has just started to figure out Valuev and had a good game plan. Bad luck. Yes, he lost a few, but i would blame losses like against Lawrence to his lack of experience to deal with certain styles. On the flip side of the coin he showed whats in him in his fights Byrd and Peter. Both known for having good chins. McCline not only floored them, he nearly had them out. Both were badly hurt. But again, not enough experience to finnish of the top guys. He also lacks confidence and stamina, but i clearly saw potential: He moves good for his weight and height, he has respectable handspeed, and seeing how he floored Byrd and Peter, he surely has some pop in his fists. He also throws a nice uppercut, has a solid jab and a good left hook. His chin is good, after his ko loss 1995, which can be overlooked seeing that he started with the sport in the same year, he only lost inside the distance vs. Klitschko. I think he has done pretty good regarding his background. Even with his lack of experience, just with little more luck (and off course stamina:hi: ), he could call himself world champ. I think he would have done pretty good, had he started with boxing a few years earlier. Think about it: He started boxing 1995, a year later Klitschko became olympic champion. Still they met a few years later. Its pretty amazing how good he has done. We will see, maybe he will make another run to a title shot. And please dont say its not possible, cause i can see a guy like Golota getting another 3 title shots.:rasta Opinions anyone? Does this thread suck or not?:tong
um he didnt have byrd "nearly" out ...he taped him on the side of the head with a good shot ..byrd went down and imediately got back up and went back to work ...
Well, too bad i canot find any vid from the knockdown. But as i remember Byrd was completely out for 1,2 seconds and THEN jumped up.
I had a heavyweight a very long time ago, his name was Albert Williams, he faced Jameel on the undercard of that Night of the young heavyweights when Shannon Briggs got beat by Darroll Wilson and Tua annhiolated John Ruiz in AC NJ.. Al drew with Jameel but Al told me that for a novice heavyweight Jameel was as hard a hitter as anyone, Albert was Lennox Lewis's cheif sparring partner for years and played a part in getting Jameel work as a top sparring partner too.. Jameel became Lewis's major hired hand for several of his main defences including the Grant fight.. Jameel worked with loads of different styles in the gym with Massive names and over a course skills rubbed off on him.. Al Cole was a great friend to Jameel he still champions his cause and boosts his confidence today.. Albert Williams sadly passed away in 2001 he drew with the highly touted Ed Mahone weeks before. I was sat ringside the night Shane Mosley boxed Adrian Stone and Jameel himself faced Michael Grant, I was close to Grant and Michael was looking past Jameel too much and i did warn Teddy Atlas that Jameel was not such a pushover. Jimmy Glen on the day of the weigh in said to me that this was going to be McClines coming out party , I think that set alarms ringing... When Jameels jab lifted Grant off his feet in the first round it raised my opinion of him 3 fold. Mike Grants career never quite got back on track, losing shortly after to Dom Guinn, yet Jameel had an indian summer winning in major fights against Briggs , Whittacker and eventually landing him a fine chance against KLitschko where if he had more experience he may have been victorious... I do remember grabbing Jameel in the sports book at Caesars palace strolling around after his win over Grant, I remember saying "You come a long way from the Al Williams fight Jameel...." he laughed and said .. " Yes sir, I truly have" I like Jameel and to see what he has done since then tells a real rags to riches fairy tale even if he never becomes champ , there is a book that could be written about such a great guy.. He aint finished yet either.......
Yes,exactly,he has let people and himself down so many times....it is a shame...I was rooting for him vs Valuev when he was winning the first rounds...then he broke his leg...rooting for him vs Peter when he KD him twice and lost eventually...rooting for him vs John ''Hold and Hit'' Ruiz and all the others.His career is a dissapointment cuz he could have done a lot more
Here is a thing about Mccline, he is actually a big puncher and dangerous early, however, due to very poor stamina he is afraid to go for broke.
Btw, he's fighting Mike Mollo on 7th November in China, in a WBC title eliminator. So presuming he can overcome Mollo as Golota did, he will earn himself a shot at Sam Peter after he dispatches of Dr No Balls.
I've always liked McCline. He's very gifted physically and appears to work hard to keep himself in shape. On the down side, I never really saw in him that warrior instinct that a guy like Lamon Brewster has, that might have made the difference in turning some of Jameel's close losses into wins. Given his late start, it's impressive that he has accomplished what he has and made some good money in the ring. I'm glad to see he's fighting soon.
Jameel is a slow starter by nature which is strange because of the Grant fight.. I remember watching him fight Cedric Boswell at Mandalay Bay the day before Toney v Holyfield.. Cory Spinks was astonished at how such a big man with power was getting caught square on by Boswell for so many rounds.. Cory spinks turned to me and said what is wrong with him, he has every advantage but is fighting like he is scared or something.. Jimmy Glenn screamed at him between rounds "Wake up Jameel, he is 10 classes bahind you and can't beleive his luck, you frozen or something" The next round Jameel woke up got a little angry with himself and like he could have all along he knocked Boswell out.. Cory turned to me and said, " That dude could have done that from the first bell.." he was right , Jameel is sometimes what i would call a frozen fighter, very self doubting in big fights..... That afternoon i offered luck to Jameel and he seemed like he was spaced out or worried and his whole body looked very tense.. I hate to say it, i think it may be an issue that goes back to him being behind bars for a time.. He is like a kid in a mans body.. A good confident team is exactly what Jameel is always gonna need .. Al Cole , Jimmy Glenn and close friends he trusts really have to be around Jameel or those same issues are gonna resurface.......
Mentally he isnt the strongest. At the lastest, it could be seen in the Klitschko fight. Thats somehow cruel, seeing a guy, getting very late to boxing and still doing damn good, BUT could even be real championship material with a better mind. In summary can be said he did a lot better than Clifford Etienne, in and outside the ring.
