Jameel McCline facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jameel McCline |
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McCline (left) vs. Samuel Peter, 2007
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| Statistics | |
| Nickname(s) | Big Time |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Reach | 82 in (208 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | May 20, 1970 New York City, New York |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 57 |
| Wins | 41 |
| Wins by KO | 24 |
| Losses | 13 |
| Draws | 3 |
Jameel McCline, born on May 20, 1970, is a former American professional boxer. Known as "Big Time," he was a heavyweight fighter who challenged for the world heavyweight title four times. Even though he didn't win a world title, McCline defeated many well-known boxers and former champions during his career. He retired from boxing in 2012 when he was 42 years old.
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Championship Titles Jameel McCline Held
Jameel McCline held a couple of important boxing titles during his career:
- WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion (2001)
- WBO-NABO Heavyweight Champion (2006)
Jameel McCline's Early Life
Jameel McCline grew up in Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City. He spent parts of his childhood living in group homes, foster homes, and orphanages. This experience taught him how to be independent from a young age. He graduated from Comsewogue High School in Port Jefferson Station, New York. Before he became a professional boxer, Jameel faced some challenges in his early life.
Jameel McCline's Professional Boxing Journey
Jameel McCline started his professional boxing career at the age of 25, which is considered late for a boxer. He didn't have any amateur boxing experience before turning pro. Despite this, he went on to fight for the world heavyweight title four times against top boxers like Chris Byrd, Wladimir Klitschko, Nikolai Valuev, and Samuel Peter. He lost all four of these title fights, but each one was for a different version of the world title, which is quite unique!
McCline had many impressive wins against other famous fighters. These included Alfred Cole, Michael Grant, Lance Whitaker, Shannon Briggs, Charles Shufford, and Cedric Boswell. While he couldn't quite win a world title, some of his championship fights were very close. For example, his loss to Chris Byrd was by just one point in a decision that many people debated. In another championship fight against Samuel Peter, McCline even knocked Peter down three times, which was the first time Peter had ever been knocked down in his career!
In 2005, McCline had an unexpected loss to Zuri Lawrence. However, he didn't give up. He then went on a winning streak of six fights, which helped him get two more chances to fight for a world title.
Fighting Nikolai Valuev
On January 20, 2007, Jameel McCline challenged WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev. This fight was special because it was the first heavyweight title fight ever held in Switzerland. It was also called the "biggest" championship fight in history because both boxers together weighed about 600 pounds (270 kilograms)! Unfortunately, McCline had to stop fighting at the end of the third round because he injured his left knee. At that point, he was only behind on one judge's scorecard.
Later Fights and Retirement
McCline was scheduled to fight Vitali Klitschko in 2007, but Klitschko had to pull out due to an injury. Instead, McCline fought Samuel Peter on October 6, 2007, for Peter's WBC Interim title. As mentioned, McCline knocked Peter down three times early in the fight. However, he still lost the fight by a decision from the judges that many found controversial.
On March 8, 2008, McCline fought former two-time WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz in Mexico. McCline lost this 12-round fight by a unanimous decision. He then defeated Mike Mollo by a unanimous decision on November 7, 2008.
His next fight was on April 11, 2009, against Chris Arreola, where he lost by knockout in the fourth round. Jameel McCline made a comeback on December 3, 2011, defeating Dennis McKinney by TKO in the fourth round. He officially retired from boxing in 2012.
Images for kids
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McCline (left) vs. Samuel Peter, 2007
