Why does this boxer not get enough respect?

The question is why doesn't Kalambay get more respect?

He beat McCallum, the man you're talking about, twice IMO and schooled him in the first fight, putting on arguably the greatest technical masterclass ever filmed, against one of the best all-round technical fighters of all time. Whilst Floyd Mayweather gets all the love nowadays, Sumbu was also a defensive whiz with a more diverse left hand who put on technical displays of the highest order against fighters of the highest order.

I love The Body Snatcher all the way Jeff, but Kalambay had his number. Their 2nd fight, which could've gone either way admittedly, is one of my favourite two-way technical fights of all time, with more than enough action to satisfy even the more fidgety boxing fans.

Sublime era!

 

And yes, Mike is definitely an ATG! :good

 

Both of the fights are Jeffro (assume you're talking about Sumbu-Mike?) :thumbsup Would post but on iPhone :good

You, as a longtime supporter of McCallum and serious student of the game, will be astounded.

 

McCallum gets plenty of respect among boxing fans and has always been highly rated by those who really follow the sport.He's really not that underrated anymore.

 

As predictable as night turns day

That said, yeah. Both thoroughly underrated. Mike McCallum would absolutely dominate 154 and 160 today, nobody fit to lace his jockstrap.

 

Kalambay-McCallum II was a big plus for Mike either way. Showed how intelligent he was, against a guy thats all wrong for him. Sumbu was an amazing mover with great defence and ring craft, plus while Mike was an absolute natural born fighter the same way somebody like James Toney is (but greater and more well rounded IMO) he wasn't blessed with the athleticism of Sumbu.

 

You have to watch Kalambay/McCallum, it is a must for hardcore boxing fans, the skill set of both men gel perfectly.

 

Would the answer be, neither are American, British, Mexican, P Rican, ie countries with massive support bases. Jamaican's and African's are not packing out arenas and xenophobic Italians aren't for an African boxer either.

Also neither were hyped to the hills and massive punchers to instil excitement into the majority of ignorant fans of this sport.

It's all boils down to boxing being a cynical marketing and tribal sport

 

Of course, but it lead me right into a rant about Sumbu's beauty ;-)

 

I suspect this is pretty strongly on the mark.

 

Lookin' forward to hearing Jeff's opinions on McCallum-Kalambay I :tong

McCallum had one of his few quality early starts second time round against Sumbu. Agreed TFFP, that fight is so competitive and closely matched it's only fitting they both come out earning points, Kalambay for his late rally and for the outstanding technical display both put on and for the adjustments they kept making.

Some very close rounds.

 

**** Sumbu! BodySnatcher all the way :yep

 

McCallum is probably a little underrated. Kalambay is as a whole, underrated; but on this forum, he gets tons of kudos, perhaps too much.