Boxing fraternity mourns passing of "The Body Snatcher"

The local, regional and international boxing fraternities are now mourning the passing of legendary Jamaican boxer and 3-time weight division world champion Mike "The Body Snatcher" McCallum.

According to reports, McCallum was on his way to the gym in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, when he fell ill and pulled off the road. He was later found unresponsive by the police. Sources close to the world renowned pugilist, confirmed that McCallum apparently died from a cardiac arrest.

McCallum who was 68 years old, won his first world title in 1984, beating Irishman Sean Mannion to lift the WBA junior middleweight title, which he held for 4 years. He later captured the WBA middleweight belt in 1989 before losing it to James Toney in 1991.

McCallum then moved up to the light-heavyweight class where he won  the WBC title in 1994 and held it for a year before losing it also to Toney.

McCallum who is a 7-time RJRGLEANER National Sportsman of the Year, retired in 1997 with a ring record of 49 wins, 5 losses and a draw with 36 knockouts. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.

General Secretary of the Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) Leroy Brown described McCallum as the best boxer ever produced by Jamaica. Up to the time of his passing, McCallum was working as a boxing trainer in Las Vegas.

Minister of Sports, Olivia Grange has also expressed shock and sadness at McCallum's passing.