Oliver McCall is regarded as one of the toughest heavyweights of all time.
‘The Atomic Bull’ was not dropped on a single occasion throughout his 77 fight professional career, proving his durability and ‘granite chin’.
He achieved his dream of becoming a world heavyweight champion back in 1994 when he knocked out the legendary Lennox Lewis in the second round of their bout to capture the WBC heavyweight title – a huge heavyweight upset.
McCall made one successful defence of his WBC crown against Larry Holmes the following April, but would eventually taste defeat against British legend Frank Bruno in September 1995, who beat him via unanimous decision at Wembley Stadium in London.
Speaking with the Ring Magazine, McCall revealed Lewis as the hardest puncher he faced and the one man who came extremely close to becoming the first fighter to knock him out in their rematch.
“The third round of the second fight with Lennox Lewis. 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. The overhand right that hit me sent me reeling into the ropes, and as I came back I could have just held him if I hadn’t broken down. I thought, “Wow.” I just shut down. I’d pick Lennox.”
Though the win is recorded as a TKO win for Lewis, McCall never touched the canvas. The fight was stopped by referee Mills Lane when McCall had a mental breakdown in the ring and refused to engage.
‘The Lion’ would go on to achieve undisputed status just two years later with a historic victory over Evander Holyfield after they fought to a stalemate in their first encounter eight months earlier.
As for McCall, he recovered and fought on. In fact, he controversially still competes to this day.
