Legendary boxer Mike McCallum, nicknamed “The Bodysnatcher,” has passed away at the age of 68.
McCallum achieved world champion status in three different weight categories during his illustrious career.
The celebrated Jamaican fighter died suddenly in Las Vegas, United States, on Saturday.
Reports indicate that McCallum became unwell while on his way to the gym and had to pull his car off the road. He was subsequently found unresponsive and later pronounced dead.
Jamaica`s Minister of Sports, Olivia Grange, confirmed the sad news.
Minister Grange expressed profound sorrow, stating: “It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica’s three-time world boxing champion Michael McKenzie McCallum.”
She added: “I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sports, I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican.”
Mike McCallum concluded his professional boxing journey with an impressive record of 49 wins (36 by knockout), five losses, and one draw across 55 fights.
He successfully held world titles in the WBA light middleweight, WBA middleweight, and WBC light heavyweight divisions.
Additionally, in his amateur career, he won gold medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and the 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games, both in the welterweight division.
McCallum was a pioneer, becoming the first Jamaican boxer to win a world championship. He was also the 18th male fighter in boxing history to claim titles in three weight classes.
He was widely recognized in the ring for his devastating body punches, which led to his memorable moniker, “The Bodysnatcher.”
Oliver Croft