What happened with Oliver McCall in that Lewis rematch?

I still think that at some point of the fight that Lewis's determination and use of his boxing skills played a part in Oliver's mental breakdown. I also think that at one point Lewis was afraid to 100% commit to his punches due to the weird situation unfolding. God bless Oliver... addiction is very difficult. I dont think he was ready for the fight at all. However ultimately it is his responsibility for what happened inside of the ring that night.

 

Yes I remember watching the fight. Lennox was probably thinking that Oliver was setting him up so was very careful not to open up in case of a counter. I also remember I think it was Georgie Benton and Greg Page both looking disgusted and pissed off with Oliver in the corner. Both great boxing guys but they were dealing with a guy suffering a mental breakdown and I don’t think they realised or even if they did they didn’t know how to deal with it.

 

He may have passed a corrupt medical.

 

Weakness was exposed. It is self evident. There was a victor and a vanquished. All discussion beyond that is window dressing.

 

McCall was made of concrete and had a decent punch.
But he could barely box at all and he was easily discouraged in several fights.
He was just one of those mediocre heavyweights of the era who clearly had Don King to thank for how he ended up a ranked contender. I really can't fault his win over Lewis though, that was an excellent win.

 

The reality is Lewis did much better in rematches. He got in better shape, and fought a smarter more disciplined fight, and did what he should have done the first time. McCall was getting badly beaten and quit trying. People make an issue of his act before the fight, but if you watch his ring walk before the first fight, he did the exact same thing. It just didn't work the second time.

 

Yes but McCall had Benton in his. I call that even.

 

McCall was a mental wreck going into the second Lewis fight. He shouldn't have been there. It's what puts a black eye on boxing.

 

I was part joking but yes Benton is GREAT, absolutely.

 

Ahaaaaaa, a little switcheroo. I almost forgot about that integral piece of the Lewis-McCall-Steward saga.

 

A good switcheroo lolol

 

Of course I get it lol I just had to give my man George his props

 

Indeed, one of the very best.

 

Probably suffering from withdrawal symptoms. He wouldn't have beat Lewis on that night anyway. Lewis put on 15 lbs of muscle and was bullying him in there. He caught McCall with a uppercut, and he didn't want no part after that.

 

McCall ran into the ring before the fight. He gave the impression that he was totally rarin' and ready to go. He had a decent round one, but then was caught by a good punch in round 2 (?), possibly the uppercut chico g mentioned above, and fell apart after that.

He definitely shouldn't have been in the ring that night, but, credit to him, he gave it a good go for 1 1/2 rounds or so, until he was caught with a shot that would've kayoed other fighters.