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 May 20, 1970) is an American former professional boxer. He is known for being a heavyweight boxer who tried to win the world heavyweight title four times, but didn't succeed in those big matches. Even though he never won a world title, McCline did beat some famous boxers and strong opponents like Michael Grant, Lance Whitaker, Al Cole, Cedric Boswell, and Shannon Briggs. McCline stopped boxing in 2012 when he was 42 years old.
Contents
Championship Titles Jameel McCline Held
Jameel McCline won 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 lived in different group homes, foster homes, and orphanages. This experience taught him how to be independent from a young age. He went to Comsewogue High School in Port Jefferson Station, New York.
Jameel McCline's Boxing Career
Jameel McCline started his professional boxing career when he was 25 years old. This is a bit older than some boxers, and he hadn't boxed as an amateur before turning pro.
Early Professional Fights
McCline fought in four world heavyweight title matches against famous boxers like Chris Byrd, Wladimir Klitschko, Nikolai Valuev, and Samuel Peter. He didn't win any of these big title fights. Interestingly, each time he fought for a different version of the world title.
He won many fights against other well-known boxers. These included Alfred Cole, Michael Grant, Lance Whitaker, Shannon Briggs, Charles Shufford, and Cedric Boswell. However, he couldn't win the big title fights. For example, his loss to Chris Byrd was very close, by just one point, and some people disagreed with the judges' decision. In another championship fight, he knocked down the champion, Samuel Peter, three times, but still lost. He also lost to Greg Pickrom, Calvin Brock, and surprisingly, to Zuri Lawrence in 2005.
Later Career and Title Challenges
After his loss to Zuri Lawrence, McCline went on a winning streak, winning six fights in a row. This led him to two more world title fights.
On January 20, 2007, 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). Valuev won the fight when McCline got hurt at the end of the third round. McCline injured his left knee while throwing a punch and couldn't continue.
McCline was supposed to fight Vitali Klitschko next. But Klitschko got injured and had to pull out of the fight. Instead, McCline fought Samuel Peter on October 6, 2007, for Peter's WBC Interim title. McCline managed to knock Peter down three times early in the fight. These were the first knockdowns of Peter's career! Despite this, McCline lost the fight by a decision that some people found controversial.
On March 8, 2008, McCline faced former two-time WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz in Mexico. McCline lost this 12-round fight by a unanimous decision.
McCline then defeated Mike Mollo by a unanimous decision on November 7, 2008. He later fought Chris Arreola on April 11, 2009, and lost by knockout in the fourth round.
McCline made a comeback on December 3, 2011. He defeated Dennis McKinney by TKO in the fourth round. This fight took place in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Jameel McCline's Boxing Record Summary
| 57 fights | 41 wins | 13 losses |
| By knockout | 24 | 5 |
| By decision | 17 | 8 |
| Draws | 3 | |
Images for kids
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McCline (left) vs. Samuel Peter, 2007
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Jimmy Lennon, Jr. introducing the boxers before the Samuel Peter fight in October 2007.
