Press Release

The following is a press release from Oliver McCall's camp:

For Immediate Release, October 29, 1997

FORMER WBC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP IS BACK…

Oliver McCall to Mix It Up at Nashville's Music City Mix Factory November 4

[Nashville] - “The ‘Atomic Bull’ is back. And this time, we'll see who cries.” With those words, former WBC Heavyweight Champion Oliver McCall announced his return to the ring at a press conference here on October 23. McCall (28-7, 20 KO’s) is slated to take on heavyweight hopeful Bryan Yates in a scheduled ten-round rumble, November 4 at Nashville, Tennessee's Music City Mix Factory. The under card gets underway at 8 p.m. with the main event set to start by 10 p.m. As expected, interest from the world boxing community is keen, with media attention at a fever pitch since the announcement in Nashville. This will be McCall’s first fight since his suspension from boxing by the Nevada Athletic Commission was lifted earlier this month.

McCall was suspended for his non-performance in a re-match against Lennox Lewis in February. Noted referee Mills Lane stopped the bout when McCall appeared to break down in the ring and refused to defend himself.

The former champ appeared fit and fearless as he faced the media for his first press conference since the much-publicized incident this past winter. “I know what everyone's saying about me,” McCall surmised. “ They think I'm a big crybaby, that I cant cut it anymore. Sure, I've had my share of problems. They're the same kind of problems people everywhere face. Personal problems, professional problems. I'm no different from anybody else. But I'm dealing with my problems and I'm out to prove to the world that Oliver McCall can and will be champion again.”

Born in Chicago in 1965, Oliver began boxing in 1982 and rose through the amateur ranks with a 31-1 record and 28 KO’s on his way to the Wisconsin and Illinois Golden Gloves titles in 1984 and 1985. The professional ring beckoned next.

Given the nickname “The Atomic Bull” by his father due to the younger McCall’s propensity to inadvertently knock things over as a child, Oliver won 11 of 12 bouts in his first three years on professional cards. Known as a hard trainer and a boxer who takes his workouts seriously, McCall was out to prove to the world that he was more than just a glorified sparring partner as some had come to label him.

While McCall waited patiently for his shot at the title, he maximized his time by working out with the fight games best; Mike Tyson, Frank Bruno, Tim Witherspoon, Michael Spinks, and others. On September 24, 1994 in London, England the hard work came to fruition. Knowing it may be his only world title shot McCall trained diligently for his face-off with WBC champion Lennox Lewis. It paid off in the second round for McCall with a TKO over the beaten Lewis.

Ironically, it was against Lennox Lewis in February of this year that McCall succumbed to the personal and professional pressures he had been battling. “I've taken my share of criticism and jokes about what happened in the ring eight months ago,” said McCall. “And so has my family. Folks may want to call me a crybaby. But if they do, they're going to have to call me the Crybaby Champion. I feel I can and will be the heavyweight champion of the world again.”

Due to the heavy interest in the November 4 comeback bout of Oliver McCall at the Music City Mix Factory in Nashville, Tennessee seating is extremely limited. However, all attempts to oblige the press will be made. To help assure press requests are accommodated, please contact Harper Entertainment Group in Nashville at 615/230-8599, fax: 615/451-4112; email:info@harpergroup.com

For ticket information, call the Music City Mix Factory in Nashville at 615/251-8899.

-- Contact: Jay Harper
Harper Entertainment Group
Nashville, TN
http://www.harpergroup.com
mailto:jharper@harpergroup.com
Ph:615/230-8599


 

Upcoming Fights Current Champions Past Champions Back to Main Page
10.31.97 [Return to Top]