The Best of the Rest: 160lbs Tier II Tournie - SF - Fight 2: Mike McCallum UD15 Sumbu Kalambay

I've got another close fight. Split dec, for McCallum.

 

I always thought that although Kalambay won the first fight, it was close. No question he won but it wasn't some one-sided schooling. The rematch was three years later and was another close one. But McCallum probably deserved to edge it. So I think this would always be close and always be points.

The best version of each? I think Kalambay shades it.

 

This sounds trite, and I don't mean it to be; Kalambay deserves huge credit for taking McCallum's zero, no matter how you slice it. I do think, however, that McCallum showed that he could and would learn and adapt and improve from lessons learned in that fight. He did that very thing, as a matter of fact. I can't help but think this meant that he had to a degree "figured out" Kalambay. At least to the extent he'd take the third match. It's a tough bout, another close one.

 

Kalambay will always be a tough fight for McCallum but after the 2nd fight, I think McCallum had his number.

 

A big difference between the two fights was how much Kalambay had slowed by 1991. Still quick and still a good mover, but not really electric on his feet the way he'd been in the first battle. McCallum did fight smarter the second time, with less of a stalking, following performance. I still wouldn't say that he figured Kalambay out or had his number. For one thing, the rematch was a nightmare to score and could have gone either way, but also the part of Kalambay's game that had most troubled McCallum the first time out wasn't quite as strong three years later.

If this is interpreted as McCallum-Kalambay III, though, as a 1991-93 tiebreaker rather than best vs. best, maybe McCallum should be favored, as Kalambay declined very quickly after his loss to the Bodysnatcher.

 

I'm surprised there haven't been more votes for Kalambay. Depends what version of each fighter we think we're watching, i guess.

 

Missed the vote but best for best at 160 i'd happily take Kalambay.

 

So Kalambay has lost theoretically to the man he....well, you know.... beat in real life by quite a margin first time out when they were both prime and arguably beat second time when he was past his best? Only on the internet.

I'm off to watch my Duran dvds, there's one where he sparks Tommy Hearns, it's a zinger.

 

I agree with @clum though.

 

BOOM!

 

This is ridiculous.

How can Kalambay not be the one to go through?

 

Not the fan fave.

 

I'm pretty certain it is best vs best otherwise the entire tournament is a bust.

 

Try a sense of humour.