Was Oliver McCall paid to lose to Frank Bruno on purpose?

Larry Holmes came pretty close to beating McCall too.....He just wasn't that good Right hand and chin excepted.

 

McCall was a journeyman with a top promoter. I guess he shows how you can become a factor in the Heavyweights if you have a brilliant chin and a fair right hand.

Bruno had finally learnt to cling on for dear life if hurt and McCall was that limited that Bruno managed to survive the full 12 rounds, but the last round was a close run thing.

 

McCall, much like he did against Holmes, was really unfocused and went into his shell as the jabs kept coming.

Against Holmes he was finally able to galvanise himself into that big 9th round and pulled out the close win, but he left it too late against Bruno.

Give that bout a 13th round and it could well have been McCall the winner, but Bruno managed to survive the 12th and deserved the win.

No fix. McCall could just drift in and out of a fight like that, and tended to be a notoriously slow starter (and very strong finisher).

 

Yeah, McCall was just extremely inconsistent. I know it was six years later, but his fight against Akinwande was another example - He was **** until he found that one big punch.

That Bruno momentarily gave him a case of the jelly legs in the opening round probably didn't encourage him to open up as much as he otherwise might, either.

 

Henry was throughly spent in that fight. I remember watching it live. The guy could barely stand by the championship rounds and was KO`ed from McCalls relentless pressure and chin.

 

Bruno Bruno Bruno Bruuuuuuuuuuno

 

Now, a McCall that could've had Manny Steward in his corner for more than one fight...that could've been very interesting.

 

Iv wondered the same thing...but I think he just left it too late in stepping up the pace.

He was always dangerous for the full 12 rounds due to his iron chin - best heavyweight chin of the past 25 years imo. If Amir Khan had 10% of his chin he might have actually won some fights above british level.

 

Please dont give the Khan camp any ideas, Shah will be down the motorway in his old taxi to see some Harley St specialists and ask if they can transplant a bit of McCalls chin onto Amir.

 

That must have been well funny to watch. Oliver always looked like a mad maniac.

 

Yeah but Glens brother was only 9 years old at the time!!!

:rofl

 

:rofl