Surprisingly, I can't recall this matchup ever being done on here. Who wins? I think McCallum would methodically break Tito down, but I do see Tito having his moments and maybe stunning Mike once or twice. But ultimately, the superior technician wins out and stops Tito late. McCallum TKO 11.
McCallum is the better technician and naturally bigger but Tito has faster hands, is busier and is more mobile. I think Trinidad seems in control for the first half with his more explosive offense when McCallum starts to come on. Whether McCallum can break Tito down enough to stop him or take the decision? Maybe, but Tito wasn't a guy that really got broke down at 147 and 154. They could both hurt each other and steal parts of the fight they aren't supposed to. Trinidad is more likely to get stopped but McCallum is certain to get hurt. I lean towards Trinidad mainly because I think he could outwork McCallum in the early and middle rounds and he was a proven tough guy and late round fighter that could stave off the late rallies and pressure.
If Trinidad circled with the jab and let his hands go when McCallum got in range McCallum would have to respect it and he'd probably lose rounds until he found a way around it. For a pressure fighter McCallum was a savvy skilled guy but I think people over rate his general skill set, largely based on what he did as an old slick veteran later. He had more wrinkles than Tito but he wasn't some kind of master that's going to outclass a more talented guy.
Your point is taken that I think McCallum can often be overrated, because I've heard people make the argument that he could have beaten Hagler... which I find absurd. I'd pick 3 of the Fab 4 to beat McCallum... Hagler, Leonard, and Hearns. McCallum beats Duran. Simply too big. I could see Benitez outboxing McCallum.
By the way X, I'd pick McCallum to beat Hearns more often than not. McCallum was tough as nails and kept up the pressure. Hearns would outbox him but in 6 out of 10 fights the body snatcher gets to him late
McCallum via UD. It's back and forth, but I think McCallum takes over in the late rounds and wears Trinidad down with bodyshots.
McCallum had problems with the homeless man's Tommy known as Milton McCrory. He doesn't beat Hearns. Too methodical. Hagler went balls to the wall to get Hearns outta there early, but McCallum didn't fight that way. He always started slow, which would allow Tommy more than enough time to get his jab and right hand going. He'd HURT McCallum and keep him honest while outboxing him.
Lol at mccallum "having problems" with mccrory. You mean because mccrory managed to land some punches?
I don't think he really had trouble but letting a clumsy punching bag like McCrory last that long isn't really a testament to his wilting attack and when people pick McCallum against other top guys it's usually by wearing them down late.
Hearns was beaten twice in his prime - at 147, by arguably the best welterweight ever, and at 160, by arguably the best middleweight ever. I don't think a lot of people consider that. McCallum wasn't as dynamic as Leonard and Hagler. His methodical approach would play into Tommy's hands.
I think it's worth noting that McCallum (under Lou Duva's guidance) was much more aggressive than he was up at 160 (under Eddie Futch) and would likely look to collide on the inside with Tito and outslug him to the body. I'd probably still favor McCallum at either weight, but I think it's a tougher fight to call down at 154 than at 160.
McCallum because he has extra dimensions to his game. He could trade or he could box. He'd probably end up doing a bit of both here and he has the chin to weather the best of Trinidad and enough of a punch at 154 to put Tito in trouble. Great fight and a late rounds TKO for McCallum after being given some issues over the first half of the fight.
