The Boxing History Blog

Mike McCallum One of the most complete ring technicians of the modern era, Mike McCallum first came to prominence in the 1978 Commonwealth Games, held in his home country, picking up the gold medal in the welterweight division.  Born in Kingston, Jamaica on 07th December 1956, he left his native country to turn professional in the United States as a light-middleweight in January 1981. He stopped the American Rigoberto Lopez in the fourth round, going 12-0 before fighting in his home country in his thirteenth contest against Gilberto Almonte. Unfortunately for the Kingston crowd they only got to see 66 seconds of their man in action, issuing a sixth straight and final stoppage defeat on the Dominican's ledger. It would be Kevin Perry who stopped McCallum's stoppage spree, lasting the full ten rounds in front of the Madison Square Garden crowd in the Jamaican's fifteenth pro outing in June 1982.  Two fights later he faced the biggest name of his career to date in the guise of...

Simon Brown Born in Clarendon, Jamaica as Ceseford Brown on 15th August 1963, Simon Brown compiled an amateur record of 63-2. He turned professional at Atlantic City's Tropicana Hotel and Casino against Ricky Williams in February 1982, winning a four-round decision.  He fought predominantly in Atlantic City, compiling a record of 21-0 (15 KO's) when he challenged USBA welterweight champion Marlon Starling on 22nd November 1985 at the Sands Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Starling was vastly experienced and a few classes above the faded veterans and club fighters Brown had been facing as a pro. Starling had a record of 97-13 in the amateurs and reached the 1977 AAU welterweight semi-final, losing to Mike McCallum. In 1975 and '79 he lost both New England Golden Gloves welterweight finals to Robbie Sims. He turned pro in July 1979 and amassed an unbeaten run of 25-0 before losing his USBA welterweight title to NABF counterpart, Donald Curry by a split decision in October 1982....

Lloyd Honeyghan Lloyd Honeyghan was born in St Elizabeth, Jamaica on 22nd April 1960. He learnt his boxing in Bermondsey’s Fisher Club, after his family moved to London as a youngster. Honeyghan represented England as an amateur and won the London championship, before turning professional under the guidance of Terry Lawless. On 08th December 1980 he outpointed Mike Sullivan, who was also making his debut, over six rounds. In January 1983 he outpointed Lloyd Hibbert over ten rounds in a British title eliminator. Two months later he picked up the Southern Area British welterweight belt, which was also a final eliminator for the British title when he knocked out Sid Smith in the fourth round. He finally challenged Cliff Gilpin for the vacant British title on 05th April 1983, winning a twelve round points decision, after suffering a knockdown in round two.  At the start of 1985 he knocked out future IBF light-middleweight champion Gianfranco Rossi...

'Terrible' Terry Norris Terry Norris was born on 17th June 1967 in Lubbock, Texas. He had to leave his hometown as he was involved in a brawl during a baseball game, where he was stabbed by a masked assailant in a night club and shot at. "If I'd stayed, I'd probably be in a pine box." He left for the KO Corral boxing ranch in California, run by Joe Sayatovich, so he could be with his elder brother Orlin. Terry was the more gifted boxer of the two as he oozed natural talent. Where Orlin was cursed as being too small for a heavyweight and too big for the cruiserweight division.  Terry Norris turned professional on 02nd August 1986 against Jose Luis Cordova, who was also making his debut. He went 12-0 before losing a ten round unanimous decision to Derrick Kelly. He bounced back against Edward Neblett, but lost his discipline in November 1987 and got disqualified for hitting opponent Joe Walker, whilst he was down. Eight wins later he l...