Oliver McCall joins in on wanting a mini-tournament for the “older” fighters at heavyweight!
When former world heavyweight champion “Iron” Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KO’s) recently released video footage of himself hitting the mitts, few if any could have predicted the explosion of activity that it would cause. In the brief clip, a slimmed down 53-year-old Tyson delivered a crisp three-piece head-shot combo followed by two devastating blows to the body.
Upon seeing the seamless sequence, the boxing public immediately began leaping to conclusions. Speculation would follow on his return to the sport. Shortly thereafter, rumors began to fly suggesting that Tyson was going to face Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs, 48, (60-6-1, 53 KO’s) in the ring.
In no time at all Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, 57, (44-10-2, 29 KO’s) was thrown in the speculative mix. Further, even James “Lights Out” Toney, 51, (77-10-3, 47 KO’s) let it be known he wanted in on the potential fun as well as the last undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32KO).
Unfortunately for all those fans getting hot under the collar fantasizing about these potential golden year match-up’s, at the moment it appears this all will likely remain an exercise in imagination. Although, this did not stop former world heavyweight champion Oliver “The Atomic Bull” McCall, 55, (59-14, 38 KO’s) from joining the party…and raising the stakes a bit.
THE ATOMIC BULL LOOKING AT IRON MIKE
Among the names involved, it’s rather clear that Tyson is the one that interests McCall far more than the others; expressed in an interview with IFL TV. McCall unlike the others mentioned, is still active and last scored a second round knockout against a 39 year-old journeyman in Hugo Lomeli back in May of 2019.
“I don’t think Tyson want to get in there with me. I can tell you that now! Mike Tyson, now you talking about wanting to come back but I don’t think you want Oliver McCall.”
Many older fans may recall a popular 1987 sparring session between the two in which McCall was seen possibly getting the better of a Tyson that was seen as “unstoppable” at the time. This could be why the former WBC champion is making such a brash statement even 23 years later!
SENIOR SUPER SIX ANYONE??!
Despite calling out Tyson specifically, McCall would be willing to put several friendships aside with a few fellow fighters in order to stage what he believes would be an entertaining Super Six themed tournament. However, out of all the potential names in the hat, McCall is the only fighter that is still active.
“I’ve been down there with Holyfield a couple of times and was able to talk with him and big Riddick Bowe. I was actually helping Riddick Bowe a little bit get his self in shape cause they was seeing me spar around there at the gym. Holyfield and Riddick Bowe and they were like ‘Oliver you still got it’ this, that and the other.
“Now I did ask Holyfield. I was like, ‘man you should go ahead’. Holyfield looked at me like ‘man I ain’t going to be boxing!’ But now I guess he changed his mind. Sometimes money will change your mind.
“I really admire Holyfield, that’s my brother in Christ. Holyfield is my dude. I couldn’t never see me really fighting him. I really don’t want to fight him, I don’t.
“But it’s at a point now I saw a thing with James Toney, because he is talking about fighting. And James Toney is a cool dude, good friend of mine too. I like James Toney, but it would be good to get a Super Six going.
“I got a promoter, his name is Erskine Johnson and he promotes me now and put some things together where we can go to these guys and see if we could put somethings together. See if we can have a final between the older champions and see who come out.
“The winner might get a shot at the real title again. That would be awesome.”
WHAT MAY COME TOMORROW
Even though this is all the height of fanciful thinking, given the steam that this story is picking up, perhaps something can emerge from this. The boxing world is absolutely starving for content, so just maybe some oddball event like this might be coming along at just the right time. Or perhaps this will simply remain a small cluster of retired fighters looking to relive a bit of their youthful days gone past.
In any event, we will all just have to stay tuned to see what plans these grey-haired warriors of yesterday can come up with for their next tomorrow.
By: Bakari Simpson
