Where does Kalambay rank ?

Funny how even in the moment back then matches with them were always talked about...

But none of them ever fell through.

 

I think McCallum was viewed as a big risk fighter with little marketablity to make the risk worth while for some of the superstars of the 80's. Frankly, I think his 1987 KO of Donald Curry scared a lot of fighters. McCallum was a hard punching technician who could work the body like no other fighter, and had a proven chin. I'm not accusing Hearns or Leonard of avoiding him, but it seems rather clear that it was just as easy for them to look the other way. Unfortunately, McCallum spent too much of his prime fighting in the shadows of the super celebrities and consequently, his best years got left behind before he could acheive any real status.

In my opinion, Mike McCallum may very well be the best middleweight to never become a superstar. Ironically, McCallum's legacy may end up forgotten through the erosion of time before men like Alan Mintor, Vito Antuofirmo and John Mugabi are.

 

It was very close, but I could have easily given it to McCallum. He engaged Toney at close range, and boxed extremely effectively on the inside. Quite a few people desputed the draw verdict, including myself. Toney deserved to win the next match, but just barely. The third fight was also owned by Toney, but by this time McCallum's sell by date had expired.

 

The Graham fight was a bad decision, but as you say both men looked washed up so it wasn't a fight that mattered much.It was just a war from start to finish where both of them showed badly eroded reflexes and punch resistance, especially on Graham's part-he was rocked badly in at least 4 or 5 different occasions.

McCallum rematch could have gone either way.Again with both fighters past their best.

 

I would say with the hindsight (straight after the match); Kalambay beat a stale, unmotivated and bored Graham who was treading water after Hagler took on first Mugabi then Leonard rather than the Bomber.

Now that is a pretty poor excuse, but Graham was like that, peak 85 Graham gave Kalule a lesson, after Ayub had beaten Kalambay...

As for where Kalambay stands, the truth is if Sambu is fighting in Italy and can get to the final bell he could beat anyone, as Bomber found out in his rematch with Kalambay.


Also everyone knows Michael Olajide was the future of a post Hagler Middleweight division:scaredas:

 

Kalule got a gift against kalambay(benfiting by a slip being scored as a knockdown for him) and was still a really good fighter when he fought him.

he was a bit past his prime and the effort of the kalambay fight finished him off.Also the fact he even got the nod showed that saying if kalambay could get to the final bell he would win against anyone isn't exactly true...he was no golden boy like Nino Benvenuti or LaRocca.

Against Graham, Kalule ;ooked totally shot and barely threw anything.He threw more punches in the first two rounds against Kalambay than he did in ten against Herol, which may seem ridiculous hyperbole, but i am sure anyone who has seen both fights(raging bull maybe?) will confirm.

I'd pick the Kalule that fought kalambay to be even money against Graham.

And Graham tried really hard against Kalambay, though no doubt he underestimated him going into the bout.None of the stupid showboating he did in against McCallum, Douglas etc.It was the same bomber as the one that had defeated Kalule, Kaylor, Sanderline Williams and others.

 

No doubt about it Kalambay was one of the greats. Even so there was nothing lucky about Nunn's knockout. It's ridiculous to say he had his eyes closed as he had delivered it. Person who mentioned it must have rocks in his head, no doubt believes everything he reads in the papers.

 

Yeah; you listening up there Robinson?

If Kalambay was great; even Gene Fullmer was a demi-god and Stanley Ketchel was Immortal (shame you did not tell his assassin, who I am guessing now was Zeus!)

 

Kalambay was a great technician and had amazing natural ability, and always came in shape.. I spoke to him last february in Milan at the Palalido.. He currently trains Michele Piccirillo.. former light middleweight champion of the world..

 

Ketchel is immortal ranked #1 by Nat Fleischer. How you think he would do with Hamsho,, could he outbox him or would Mustafa smother him with his crude attack? I favor 1981 version.

 

Very unfair to have a one on one match-up between a fighter in 1911 and one in 1981. If it was fought under 1911 rules Stanley wins; 1981 Mustafa gets the nod IMO.

 

Piccirilo sucks.