BoxRec

I pretty much go along with those here who raise questions about his level of competition. McClellan looked like an amazing puncher but, for the most part, against pretty lame competition. Mugabi got starched by Terry Norris in 1990 in one round, fought a couple of nobodies and wound up 20 months later fighting McClellan for the middleweight title. He'd been Ko'd by every decent fighter he'd fought since Hagler in 1986. Jackson was an awesome puncher who had a tendency to kill or be killed, and McClellan gets credit for wiping him out twice. However, McClellan's other title defenses before Benn were against Jay Bell (who?) and 28-16 Gilbert Baptist, who had lost all three of his previous fights against boxers with winning records. Not exactly Hall of Fame material

It was said Mugabi was weightdrained against Norris.. And he was fave against Gman.. Also Jackson was a big big fave.. And Gman was a humungous fave against Benn.. I just wish the Lamar Parks fight went through that woulda been awesome..

Greg Nicholas wrote:It was said Mugabi was weightdrained against Norris.. And he was fave against Gman.. Also Jackson was a big big fave.. And Gman was a humungous fave against Benn.. I just wish the Lamar Parks fight went through that woulda been awesome..

What were the odds for the McClellan - Mugabi fight?

good fighter, great banger, jones, hopkins,eubank and toney and mccallum would all of beat him good as he was not a great in the boxing sense, no defence in his game

Greg Nicholas wrote:It was said Mugabi was weightdrained against Norris.. And he was fave against Gman.. Also Jackson was a big big fave.. And Gman was a humungous fave against Benn.. I just wish the Lamar Parks fight went through that woulda been awesome..

Just have a look again at the Mugabi - Norris fight and you will see that Mugabi got caught, plain and simple, nothing to do with being weight drained in my opinion. He nearly survived the round, but got caught right at the end. Just look at that first knockdown by Norris and Mugabi is all over the place.

Quixall wrote:

Greg Nicholas wrote:It was said Mugabi was weightdrained against Norris.. And he was fave against Gman.. Also Jackson was a big big fave.. And Gman was a humungous fave against Benn.. I just wish the Lamar Parks fight went through that woulda been awesome..

Just have a look again at the Mugabi - Norris fight and you will see that Mugabi got caught, plain and simple, nothing to do with being weight drained in my opinion. He nearly survived the round, but got caught right at the end. Just look at that first knockdown by Norris and Mugabi is all over the place.

Indeed, and by the time Mugabi fought McClellan his balance was so bad he didn't even look convincing walking, his punch resistance had gone completely. Not sure Jackson was a huge favourite either, by that time he was effectively one eyed. Exciting fight though.

McClellan was king of the dry out. The man looks like a giant in comparison to his opponents.

In the end I think he may have paid the ultimate price for this method.

Greg Nicholas wrote:Never known another 160 lb fighter who could come in at 180+ (and remain chiseled !).. he would of gone up to lightheavy & cruiser nd been fighter of the 90s imo.. would Roy Jones chin have held up to those monster overarm rights and mammoth lefthooks..? ? !

Dang! That's a classic photo right there!

McClellan, much like Winky Wright, simply couldn't get fights, especially against the 2 biggest fish around in Roy Jones, Jr. & James Toney...Toney moved up SMW, and Jones soon followed...with no one notable at MW, he to moved to SMW, where Nigel Benn gave him a shot...a great fight, which ultimately turned tragic...
McClelland was fun to watch though...