What happened with Oliver McCall in that Lewis rematch?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by newby johnson, Apr 28, 2021.


  1. newby johnson

    newby johnson Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,147
    78
    Jun 25, 2009
    This fight was before my time and I learned of it on Teddy Atlas' podcast. Teddy showed a clip from the fight where, as it seems, after a round ended OM just started crying, seemingly, for no reason.

    Can someone explain what happened there, what is the background to that and why did he start crying?
     
  2. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    19,297
    7,039
    Oct 25, 2006
    I'm sure someone more informed can give you better info, but I think McCall had some sort of breakdown. I'm pretty sure he was doing drugs as well, which most likely added to his mental state.
    Oddly, McCall used to cry quite a bit. He cried on the night of the first Lewis fight, before the fight itself and I swear I remember him crying on another occasion as well, though I can't recall the circumstances.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2021
    Sangria, Fergy and Richard M Murrieta like this.
  3. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,331
    26,723
    Feb 15, 2006
    He had well documented problems with drug addiction in the run up to the fight.

    He probably shouldn't have been in the ring to be honest.
     
  4. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,238
    5,122
    Jun 23, 2018
    He just got out of rehab shortly before the fight
     
  5. daverobin

    daverobin Well-Known Member banned Full Member

    2,403
    515
    Oct 30, 2015
    Just got out of rehab for crack cocaine 2 weeks before the fight !!!! Not good on the mind going thru crack withdrawal !!!! Anxiety - depression !!! Don king idiot for letting the fight go on this soon !!
     
    Sangria, Guru88, Smokin Bert and 2 others like this.
  6. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

    22,635
    30,369
    Jul 16, 2019
    It appeared to be a number of things, but it looked like a psychotic breakdown. Oliver McCall began to cry for an unknown reason. I saw patients with the same symptoms during my career as a Mental Health Technician at the local hospital. Medication helps with this type affliction. But letting the patient talk and being an attentive listener helps a lot. During Group Therapy, the patient tends to vent or contribute quite a bit. Sometimes drug use is a big factor relating to their behavior.
     
    Sangria, Guru88, louis54 and 6 others like this.
  7. LoadedGlove

    LoadedGlove Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,527
    4,279
    Dec 6, 2019
    McCall was in rehab for crack addiction. His course wasn't complete but Don King threatened to sue him if he didn't turn up for Lewis.
    The hallmark of crack / cocaine addiction is extreme depression and paranoia. Unlike most other drugs, there is no chemical addiction, only psychological.
    It was criminal to put him in the ring that night.
     
  8. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    59,820
    43,194
    Feb 11, 2005
  9. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

    22,635
    30,369
    Jul 16, 2019
    Greed played a big part too that night.
     
    LoadedGlove likes this.
  10. LoadedGlove

    LoadedGlove Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,527
    4,279
    Dec 6, 2019
    Dead right Richard M. Mostly Don King's. McCall was broke after all the partying and rehab. Even without the threat of being sued, he still needed the money.
     
    Richard M Murrieta likes this.
  11. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

    22,635
    30,369
    Jul 16, 2019
    Thanks my friend.
     
    LoadedGlove likes this.
  12. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

    5,322
    6,508
    Aug 17, 2011
    Oliver McCall has a long history of mental health issues that continue to this day. That is what scrambled his recent comeback attempt, ruining at least 3 substantial opportunities.
     
    Kamikaze and Richard M Murrieta like this.
  13. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,527
    4,960
    Jan 7, 2007
    McCall was a strange character. Very emotional, on his ring walks he would sometimes cry, but only in the Lewis fight did it happen in the ring. The major reason was substance abuse that he clearly wasn't over yet. I think he was rushed into the second Lewis fight, he didn't belong there then.
     
  14. Kamikaze

    Kamikaze Bye for now! banned Full Member

    4,226
    4,530
    Oct 12, 2020
    D
    Do you think his comeback would have warranted much success anyways?
     
  15. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

    5,322
    6,508
    Aug 17, 2011
    He had chances to make money.
     
    Kamikaze likes this.