Oliver McCall, the former heavyweight champion, is stepping back into the ring at 59 years old. The veteran boxer is set to continue his career in January 2024, eyeing potential high-profile fights.
McCall's comeback is making waves in the boxing world, particularly because of his history with one of the sport's greats, Lennox Lewis. Lewis, who retired in 2004, had a remarkable career as the undisputed heavyweight champion. He beat notable boxers like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and Vitali Klitschko.
Lewis suffered only two defeats in his professional career. One of those losses came at the hands of Oliver McCall in 1994 at Wembley Arena. McCall stopped Lewis inside two rounds and took the WBC heavyweight title. Lewis bounced back from this setback with four straight wins and eventually got his revenge. In February 1997, he stopped McCall in the fifth round to reclaim his world honors.
The other loss in Lewis's career came in April 2001 when Hasim Rahman stopped him in the fifth round. Lewis didn't let that setback define him either. Seven months later, he knocked out Rahman in the fourth round of their rematch.
As for McCall, he's been busy lately. Two months ago, he fought Stacy Frazier in Nashville, Tennessee, but got stopped in two rounds. Now, he's gearing up for another fight on January 21, 2024, against Gary Cobia at the same venue.
McCall's not just fighting for the sake of it. He's got his sights set on a bigger target - Jake Paul. The former champ wants to get revenge for Mike Tyson after Paul beat Tyson in a controversial bout in November.
It's worth noting that McCall's career has had some impressive moments. Besides beating Lewis, he also defeated Larry Holmes in 1995. Now, at 59, he's still eager to compete and make his mark in the ring.
The heavyweight division has seen many legendary fighters over the years. Names like Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and Larry Holmes have all left their mark on boxing history. McCall's comeback adds another interesting chapter to this storied weight class.
As McCall prepares for his upcoming fight, fans and critics alike will be watching closely. The boxing world is curious to see what this veteran fighter can still bring to the ring at 59 years old.
