Oliver McCall

Oliver McCall
Statistics
Real name	Oliver McCall
Nickname(s)	The Atomic Bull
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Nationality	United States
Born	April 21, 1965 (1965-04-21) (age 46) Chicago, Illinois, USA
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	69
Wins	56
Wins by KO	37
Losses	11
Draws	0
No contests	0

Oliver "The Atomic Bull" McCall (born April 21, 1965) is an American professional Heavyweight boxer best known for winning the WBC Heavyweight Championship in 1994 after scoring an upset knock out victory over Lennox Lewis, in Lewis' home town of London, England, followed by his infamous in-ring meltdown in the rematch. In a long rollercoaster career that has been blighted by drug addiction and almost constant legal troubles, McCall has served as the chief sparring partner for a peak Mike Tyson, then later come into his own as a professional, defeating Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, Lionel Butler, Bruce Seldon, Jesse Ferguson, Francesco Damiani, Oleg Maskaev, Henry Akinwande, Przemyslaw Saleta, Sinan Samil Sam, and Fres Oquendo.

Amateur career

McCall had a strong amateur career prior to turning pro, twice a winner of the Chicago Golden Gloves.

Professional career

Known as "The Atomic Bull", McCall turned pro in 1985 and slowly worked his way up the heavyweight ranks. He beat Jesse Ferguson and future heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon and lost a very close decision to Tony Tucker before landing the shot against Lewis in 1994. After a close first round McCall came out aggressive in the second and landed his signature counter right hand as Lewis moved forward. Lewis dropped to the canvas and got up before the count of ten, but he was unsteady on his feet, forcing the referee to wave a stop to the fight.

McCall's win over Lewis marked Don King's return to power in the heavyweight division, since none of his stable of fighters had been able to win the heavyweight title since Mike Tyson lost it in 1990. He successfully defended the title in a bout against 45 year old ex-champ Larry Holmes in Las Vegas winning 115-112 115-114 and 114-113 on the score cards, before returning to London to face Frank Bruno in 1995.

During a press conference before the fight McCall claimed he was going to get revenge for America after Gerald McClellan had been rendered brain damaged after a fight with Nigel Benn a few months earlier. He had claimed that he was going to hurt Bruno and that the only thing Bruno would be able to do was throw illegal rabbit punches.

The fight took place at the old Wembley stadium. Bruno started off well, working behind the jab and landing some big right hands. McCall seemed disinterested in fighting and lagged far behind on the score cards going into the latter rounds. By round 9 Bruno had built up a big lead on the score cards and looked comfortably in charge. McCall finally sparked into life in round 10 perhaps realizing that he was behind on the score cards. McCall landed several big punches over the final 3 rounds and had Bruno in trouble several times but Bruno managed to hold on and win the title by a unanimous decision.

McCall returned to the ring 6 months after losing his title when he beat future WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev in less than 3 minutes with a sneaky right hand. A month later McCall beat James Stanton in 6 rounds.

Lewis vs. McCall II

Lewis and McCall squared off again on February 7, 1997, in Las Vegas. In a bizarre fight, McCall refused to fight in the fourth and fifth rounds, beginning to cry and eventually forcing the referee to stop the fight and award Lewis the victory.^[1] The referee for the fight, Mills Lane, stated in an interview after the match, "In the third round, he got in close, and then seemed frustrated, and then he just backed off and put his arms down. . . . I thought he was playing possum but then I saw his lips started to quiver and I thought, 'My God, is he crying?'" Lane stopped the fight when McCall had refused to defend himself for several rounds.

In 2001 at the age of 36 he resurrected his career with a tenth round knockout of Henry Akinwande, at the time one of the most avoided contenders in the world, on a high profile Lennox Lewis undercard in Las Vegas. McCall was ranked number 4 in the world off this performance, but was arrested shortly afterwards and imprisoned for over a year, losing his ranking.

In December 2004 he lost a close points decision to fellow contender DaVarryl Williamson on a high profile Don King undercard from New York, and in 2005 he traveled to Germany for an eliminator to skillful and well regarded Cuban Juan Carlos Gomez, and was outpointed over ten rounds. However this loss was removed from McCall's record as Gomez later failed a drug test.

Aiming for another shot at the title

Despite his legal troubles, Oliver's career has since continued. He began his next run at a title with a first round TKO of Kenny Craven in June 2006.

McCall defeated Darroll Wilson in a fourth-round TKO in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 9, 2006, for the WBC Fecarbox Championship.

On December 9, 2006, McCall defeated Yanqui Diaz via seventh-round KO in Hollywood, Florida.

On 16 June 2007, McCall defeated Sinan Samil Sam for the WBC International Heavyweight Championship by unanimous decision in Ankara, Turkey. This guaranteed him a shot at the WBC Heavyweight Championship (currently held by Vitali Klitschko). However, McCall took a fight with slick Cuban fighter Juan Carlos Gomez, a fight which McCall lost. As a result, Gomez took his place as the WBC's next mandatory challenger.

The long inactive McCall defeated Australian John Hopoate by 2nd round TKO on the May 22, 2009, for the vacant IBA intercontinental heavyweight belt. McCall dominated the fight and knocked Hopoate down twice.

He defended his IBA continental belt against Franklin Lawrence by a ten round unanimous decision on August 21, 2009, at the Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.

On October 23, 2009, he defended his IBA continental title again by a ten round unanimous decision against 6'8" Lance Whitaker.

McCall's next opponent was Timur Ibragimov. The two fought at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida. Ibragimov is a fringe contender with a impressive 27-2-1 record, however he hasn't fought anyone on McCall's level before. The former world champion lost the bout by unanimous decision, with the scores of 117-111 twice and 119-109. It was McCall's first loss since his comeback in 2009.

Legal troubles

Although never knocked down as a professional boxer, McCall's career has been mottled by several stints in drug rehabilitation facilities ^[2] and arrests for disorderly behavior. He has attempted numerous comebacks, though the efforts have repeatedly been frustrated by run-ins with the law.

In January 2006 he was arrested by police in Nashville, Tennessee, who say they had to use a Taser on McCall after he tried running away from officers trying to arrest him for trespassing in a public housing development.^[3]

Police told reporters that McCall had in his possession a glass pipe and a five-dollar bill containing a small amount of cocaine. They say the 40-year-old McCall later spat at an officer and threatened to kill him.^[4]

He was held on $299,000 bond and charged with criminal trespass, resisting arrest, assaulting police officers, threatening to kill an officer, and being a fugitive from justice on charges in his home state of Virginia. He was released on May 8, 2006.

On the weekend before his scheduled fight with Zuri Lawrence at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in nearby Hollywood, Florida, McCall was arrested for possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia in Fort Lauderdale, preventing him from fighting. He was ultimately sentenced to probation. McCall was able to get another big fight, this time against Fres Oquendo, scheduled for December 7, 2010. McCall won in a split decision over the favored Oquendo.

On December 9, 2010, two days after his latest victory, McCall was again arrested in Fort Lauderdale for possession of cannabis and a violation of a municipal ordinance, causing him to violate the terms of his probation stemming from the February cocaine charge. As a result of the probation violation, McCall was facing six years in Florida State Prison. McCall's attorney was able to have him reinstated on his previous probationary term, modified to include a drug and psychological evaluation followed by any necessary treatment.

Personal

McCall was raised on the South Side of Chicago, and is married with four daughters and three sons. He has two children currently in high school, one daughter: Jeneva McCall who is currently fifth best in the state of Illinois for discus throw and one son: Mikael McCall who is currently a freshman running back for the University of Iowa. McCall has one other son, Elijah McCall is currently a professional boxer as well.

Professional boxing record

56 Wins (37 knockouts, 19 decisions), 11 Losses (1 knockout, 10 decisions), 0 Draws [5]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Win	56-11 2 NC	Damian Wills	UD	10	20/08/2011	Houston Athletic Fencing Center, Houston, Texas, United States	Won vacant WBF International Heavyweight title.
Loss	55-11 2 NC	Cedric Boswell	UD	10	18/03/2011	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States	For vacant NABA Heavyweight title.
Win	55-10 2 NC	Fres Oquendo	SD	12	07/12/2010	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States	Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Loss	54-10 2 NC	Timur Ibragimov	UD	12	15/06/2010	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States	For vacant NABA Heavyweight title.
Win	54–9 2 NC	Lance Whitaker	UD	10	23/10/2009	The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Retained IBA Continental Heavyweight title.
Win	53–9 2 NC	Franklin Lawrence	UD	10	21/08/2009	The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Retained IBA Continental Heavyweight title.
Win	52–9 2 NC	John Hopoate	TKO	2 (10)	22/05/2009	The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Won vacant IBA Continental Heavyweight title.
Loss	51–9 2 NC	Juan Carlos Gómez	UD	12	19/10/2007	Estrel Convention Center, Neukölln, Berlin, Germany	Lost WBC International Heavyweight title. WBC Heavyweight title eliminator.
Win	51–8 2 NC	Sinan Şamil Sam	UD	12	16/06/2007	Atatürk Sport Salonu, Ankara, Turkey	Won WBC International Heavyweight title. WBC Heavyweight title eliminator.
Win	50–8 2 NC	Marion Wilson	UD	8	24/02/2007	ABC Sports Complex, Springfield, Virginia, United States
Win	49–8 2 NC	Yanqui Díaz	KO	7 (10)	09/12/2006	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win	48–8 2 NC	Darroll Wilson	TKO	4 (12)	03/09/2006	Louisville Gardens, Louisville, Kentucky, United States	Won vacant WBC FECARBOX Heavyweight title.
Win	47–8 2 NC	Kenny Craven	TKO	1 (10)	30/06/2006	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win	46–8 2 NC	Wallace McDaniel	TKO	3 (8)	27/05/2006	The Plex, North Charleston, South Carolina, United States
NC	45–8 2 NC	Juan Carlos Gómez	NC	10	15/10/2005	Mehrzweckhalle Süd, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany	Originally Gomez won UD but NC because his drug test was positive.
Win	45–8 1 NC	Przemysław Saleta	TKO	4 (10)	13/08/2005	United Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	44–8 1 NC	Kelvin Hale	UD	8	10/05/2005	Kennel Club, Sarasota, Florida, United States
Win	43–8 1 NC	Cornelius Ellis	UD	8	16/04/2005	M.C. Benton Jr. Convention Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Win	42–8 1 NC	Marion Wilson	DQ	6 (8)	05/02/2005	Washington State Convention Center, Washington, D.C., United States
Loss	41–8 1 NC	DaVarryl Williamson	UD	10	13/11/2004	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, United States
Win	41–7 1 NC	Vernon Woodward	TKO	3 (8)	25/09/2004	Fire Lake Casino, Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
Win	40–7 1 NC	Dennis McKinney	TKO	3 (?)	24/04/2003	The Plex, North Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Win	39–7 1 NC	Henry Akinwande	KO	10 (10)	17/11/2001	Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	38–7 1 NC	Matt Green	TKO	1 (?)	29/09/2001	Martinsville, Virginia, United States
Win	37–7 1 NC	Sedreck Fields	SD	10	11/08/2000	Paris Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	36–7 1 NC	Marcus McIntyre	KO	3 (10)	25/05/2001	Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States
Win	35–7 1 NC	Ric Lainhart	TKO	1 (10)	12/02/2001	Davidson Theater, Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States
Win	34–7 1 NC	Will Hinton	TKO	1 (10)	18/12/1999	Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States
NC	33–7 1 NC	Samson Cohen	NC	2 (?)	25/09/1999	Bassett High School, Bassett, Virginia, United States
Win	33–7	Samson Cohen	KO	1 (?)	24/02/1998	Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win	32–7	Abdul Muhaymin	UD	10	03/02/1998	Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win	31–7	Mike Acklie	KO	1 (?)	06/01/1998	Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win	30–7	Mike DeVito	TKO	2 (8)	16/12/1997	Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win	29–7	Brian Yates	TKO	8 (10)	04/11/1997	Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loss	28–7	Lennox Lewis	TKO	5 (10)	07/02/1997	Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	For vacant WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	28–6	James Stanton	TKO	6 (10)	23/03/1996	Miami Arena, Miami, Florida, United States
Win	27–6	Oleg Maskaev	TKO	1 (10)	24/02/1996	Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, United States
Loss	26–6	Frank Bruno	UD	12	02/09/1995	Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom	Lost WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	26–5	Larry Holmes	UD	12	08/04/1995	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Retained WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	25–5	Lennox Lewis	TKO	2 (12)	24/09/1994	Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom	Won WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	24–5	Dan Murphy	TKO	1 (?)	26/02/1994	Earls Court Exhibition Hall, Kensington, London, England, United Kingdom
Win	23–5	Art Card	KO	1 (?)	18/12/1993	Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
Win	22–5	Francesco Damiani	TKO	8 (10)	23/04/1993	The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win	21–5	Mike Dixon	TKO	2 (?)	30/01/1993	The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win	20–5	Lawrence Carter	KO	3 (10)	30/01/1993	Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	19–5	Tony Tucker	SD	12	26/06/1992	CSU Convention Centre, Cleveland, Ohio, United States	For NABF Heavyweight title.
Win	19–4	Mike Rouse	TKO	4 (10)	15/02/1992	Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	18–4	Jesse Ferguson	UD	10	08/08/1991	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	17–4	Danny Wofford	TKO	5 (?)	08/06/1991	Civic Center, Salem, Virginia, United States
Win	16–4	Bruce Seldon	TKO	9 (10)	18/04/1991	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss	15–4	Orlin Norris	SD	10	17/11/1990	Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, United States
Win	15–3	Lionel Butler	SD	10	16/07/1990	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Loss	14–3	Buster Douglas	UD	10	21/07/1989	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	14–2	Bruce Johnson	KO	1 (10)	01/10/1988	International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	13–2	Wesley Smith	TKO	2 (10)	16/09/1988	Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Win	12–2	David Jaco	UD	10	30/06/1988	Pavilion Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
Loss	11–2	Mike Hunter	UD	10	22/01/1988	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	11–1	Kim Adams	TKO	2 (8)	30/08/1987	Americana Congress Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	10–1	Richard Scott	KO	2 (8)	11/08/1987	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	9–1	Tim Morrison	KO	1 (6)	30/05/1987	DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	8–1	Fred Whitaker	UD	6	21/03/1987	DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	7–1	Al Evans	UD	6	16/12/1986	Condesa Del Mar, Alsip, Illinois, United States
Win	6–1	Bashir Wadud	UD	6	25/10/1986	DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	5–1	Larry Roberson	TKO	1 (4)	13/09/1986	DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	4–1	James Churn	KO	1 (4)	14/08/1986	Americana Congress Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	3–1	Kimmuel Odum	MD	4	14/08/1986	DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	2–1	Felix Shorter	TKO	2 (4)	18/01/1986	DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss	1–1	Joey Christjohn	UD	4	06/12/1985	Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	1–0	Lou Bailey	TKO	1 (4)	02/11/1985	Odeum, Villa Park, Illinois, United States

References

• Professional boxing record for Oliver McCall from BoxRec

1. ^ HBO Should Have Pulled Out of Bout - New York Times
2. ^ PLUS: BOXING; McCall to Receive An Early Release - New York Times
3. ^ http://www.police.nashville.org/news/media/2006/01/20.htm
4. ^ Another Low Blow from Oliver McCall
5. ^ [1]

African American portal

• Notable boxing families

Preceded by Lennox Lewis

WBC Heavyweight Championship September 24, 1994 – September 2, 1995

Succeeded by Frank Bruno

Persondata
Name	Maccall, Oliver
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	21 April 1965
Place of birth	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Date of death
Place of death