James Toney, the three-weight world champion, picked Mike McCallum as the best fighter he ever faced. Toney shared this insight in a recent chat with Ring Magazine, placing McCallum above both Evander Holyfield and Roy Jones Jr.
Toney's career spanned an impressive 92 fights, according to BoxRec. He grabbed world titles at middleweight, super middleweight, and cruiserweight. Along the way, he squared off against some of boxing's biggest names.
In his heavyweight debut, Toney stopped Evander Holyfield. But when he faced Roy Jones Jr. at super middleweight, he lost his IBF belt in a unanimous decision.
Despite these high-profile bouts, Toney said McCallum stood out:
"That's an easy choice, right off the top of my head it's the Body Snatcher – Mike McCallum. He was the best fighter I fought at middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight. Out of all the fighters I fought, I respect him the most because he made me think about everything I tried to do. Before McCallum I was just runnin' in on everyone, but he made me slow down and think for the first time."
Toney and McCallum met three times. Their first clash in 1991 at middleweight ended in a draw. Toney won their next two fights - at middleweight in 1992 and at cruiserweight in 1997.
Toney praised McCallum's style and courage:
"I gotta go with McCallum because he was a master boxer who wasn't afraid to stand his ground. Nunn was mostly fast. I admit that he outboxed me for about nine rounds, but my body shots slowed him down. I told him during the fight 'I'm gonna catch you!' And I did."
McCallum, known as the "Body Snatcher," was a three-weight world champion himself. He held titles at super welterweight, middleweight, and light heavyweight. The Jamaican fighter was known for his exceptional technique and devastating body punches.
McCallum faced top competition throughout the 1980s and 90s. He never got stopped early in his five defeats. In his light heavyweight debut, he lost a clear decision to Roy Jones Jr., even suffering a knockdown.
As for Jones, Toney remains convinced he'd beat him with proper preparation. But in Toney's eyes, it's McCallum who stands tall as the most skilled opponent he ever faced.
