Oliver McCall, the former WBC World Heavyweight Champion, has named Larry Holmes as the best fighter he faced, placing him above Lennox Lewis. McCall's assessment comes from his unique position of having fought both boxers in the mid-1990s.
McCall's career includes some big moments in heavyweight boxing. He shocked the world in 1994 when he knocked out Lennox Lewis to win the WBC World Heavyweight Title. The following year, he successfully defended his title against Larry Holmes in a unanimous decision victory. McCall later lost the title to Frank Bruno in 1995.
When asked about the best fighter he faced, McCall didn't hesitate to pick Holmes. He explained his choice:
"It has to be Larry Holmes. As well as boxing skills, he could do the other things. He had an awesome jab. He learned how to box well. He learned not to make the same mistake twice. He learned when he got knocked down how to get up and still beat you down. Stuff like that. He had to put up with a lot of criticism. He was a great champion and it was a trip for me to face him."
McCall rated Holmes higher than Lewis in several categories, including having the best jab, the best boxing skills, the best chin, and being the smartest fighter. He admired Holmes' ability to learn and adapt, his resilience after knockdowns, and how he overcame criticism throughout his career.
While McCall holds Holmes in high regard, he didn't discount Lewis' abilities. He remembered a powerful overhand right from Lewis that sent him reeling into the ropes during their fight. McCall described the emotional impact of that moment:
"The punch I got hit with – and I remember that punch – it was a wallop. I looked over his shoulder and saw his momma rooting for him to knock me out, and I thought of my momma not being there. When that man hit me I was going to retaliate, and I broke down."
McCall noted that Lewis' punch was more brutal in shock and pain than the eye punch he received from Frank Bruno.
Despite losing to Lewis in their rematch, where McCall infamously had a breakdown in the ring, he maintains an impressive record of never being knocked down in 76 professional fights. At 59 years old, McCall recently made a comeback, stopping Stacy Frazier in two rounds.
McCall's journey in boxing has been filled with ups and downs, but his experiences with Lewis and Holmes have left a lasting impression, solidifying Holmes' place as the best fighter he faced in his long career.
