2001-11-17 - Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Henry Akinwande, NIG (40-1-1, KO's 26) vs. "The Atomic Bull" Oliver McCall, USA (38-7-0, KO's 28). - Heavyweight ranked bout - # Henry Akinwande was world ranked: 7# WBA, 8# WBC, 8# IBF. # Oliver McCall was world ranked: Out of top 10#. # Akinwande was a betting favorite to win. # Akinwande was 36 years old - McCall was 36 years old. # Akinwande had the height and reach advantages. # This was an undercard event before the Main Event; Hasim Rahman vs. Lennox Lewis II match. # Akinwande was ahead on all three scorecards before the stoppage by McCall. # Fact: Both men had been defeated by Lennox Lewis back in the year of 1997. BACKGROUND: Oliver McCall had since Feb 1997 when he lost to Lennox Lewis up to this contest went undefeated in 11 fights with a 10 victories (8 KO's) and a 1 NC against lower regarded opposition. Something that had helped keep his career going but not helped further his advancement in the heavyweight ranks. At same time having been involved in legal problems outside the ring. A proposed challenge was for Henry Akinwande challange to Evander Holyfield for the WBA world title belt in back in 1998 was later abandoned after Akinwande tested positive for hepatitis B. This meant a lengthy spell of recovery for Akinwande, but he was finally cleared to return to the ring in 1999. Akinwande had since his July 1997 DQ loss to Lewis been undefeated in 8 fights, including a WBA world title eliminator contest victory over former world champion Orlin Norris and won a couple of WBC minor titles (International & Fecarbox HW titles) and was inside the top 8# ranked heavyweights by WBC, WBA & IBF.
I’m a fan of Lewis, but I mean, McCall knocked him out fair and square 1st fight. At least McCall had an actual win over Lewis and didn’t keep grabbing like Akinwande.
This definitely ranks up there among my favorite knockouts. I disliked Akinwande who only clinched in a cowardly manner on the inside. He apparently could not fight in close at all. McCall was in good shape for this fight and persevered quite well, withstanding one clinch after another by Akinwande in every round.
@@renzopeterson153 Tyson Fury is far, far better, and he can fight on the inside if he wants to or needs to. Fury got cut recently in a fight and then saw the need to fight inside. He looks a bit awkward that way but he can get away with it because of his size.
@@pukulu Lol let me guess you are white or somebody who thinks he is white? Tyson Fury is far better? Tyson Fury throws slapping arm punchers. Akinwande didn't. Tyson Fury can't fight or the inside or outside. Tyson Fury's best wins are against a old Wlad and a no talent Deontay Wilder. There is nothing impressive about that. You also realize moron that Akinwande is the same size as Fury.
That ref is out of his mind. Akinwande was sleeping for like 7 or 8 seconds and he is counting him. I think he woke him up. He would have had a few more seconds of sleep if not for the loud ref.
What’s interesting is that’ despite what the announcers were saying. All three judges had Akinwande well ahead. McCall needed the knockout to win and he sure got it. It was probably the last big win of his career.
One of McCall's best performances. He kept his cool despite the holding and carried out a smart gameplan. Although McCall was past his prime, he became a more mature boxer in the 2000s, and had some very good wins. He also beat Sinan Samil Sam, who was younger and a solid contender.
26:19 I always wondered why Lennox Lewis and other fighters didn’t do this all the time to Akinwande. He’s always wide open for an uppercut when he reaches out to clinch.
Akinwande could punch and he was always in good condition. He moved well too. I did not like him (I hate clinchers) but he did win a lot of fights, including a ko of Jeremy Williams that just about ended Williams' boxing career. If you were an outside fighter, Akinwande was a very difficult opponent. He beat Tony Tucker, Alexander Zolkin and a few other other tall boxers.
After his chicken s____ performance against Lewis, that punch was one of the most enjoyable I've ever seen in the ring. At least McCall redeemed himself.
I think if just imagine Oliver McCall in his prime fighting today's heavyweight ...such as Antony Joshua, Tyson fury,deontay Wilder .. I am pretty sure that McCall will become heavyweight champion by knocking out all top heavyweight today's era.....today heavyweight can't even match to Atomic bull Oliver McCall..
Nah some of guys would lose and some of the guys would lose just like back in his era. They’re a goo heavyweights and bad heavyweights just like back then
Oliver Mcall was a GIANT in my book. He knocked out Champion Henry Akawande with the same one powerful right hand that he silenced Lennox Lewis with. Very underrated.
@@SKa-tt9nm It was just a nick name kid. Give me a link to a fighter same Oliver McCall was strong. McCall was known for having a great chin not for having great physical strength.
I never liked Akinwande who never did anything but clinch on the inside. He really should have lost points for it. Finally he was disqualified for doing it against Lennox Lewis. A great Rocky Marciano-style right hand knockout for McCall.
@@livisticalusconcept7523 On the inside? He couldn't box inside to save his life. Lewis exploited that by pressuring him and Akinwande didn't know what to do.
@@livisticalusconcept7523Henry was a laughing stock for years after that Lennox Lewis fight. Yes, he did nothing. Hear me - NOTHING. it would have been better if he never boxed a day in his life.
I never thought Henry Akinwande actually wanted to be in there, his ‘fight’ against Lennox Lewis where he was disqualified for “cuddling” Lewis with no attempt to fight at all really summed up his career I’m sorry to say.
I do not believe Akinwande was scared of Lewis. Rather, the ring was very small. I don't know who's dumb idea it was to sign off on two giant heavyweights competing in a 17-foot ring. Henry had a huge reach and needed more room to maneuver and throw. He couldn't apply his style, so, his only option was to clinch. Not saying he would have defeated Lewis had the ring been bigger.
@@googlemyself4091 I will tell you this Bozo, I'm more successful in my career than "The fighting Zulu" was in his boxing career! And if/when I've been outmatched, which has been plenty of times, I never disgraced myself by taking a weak ass way out like he did. And yes, I'm not just taking about in business, it's also in the ring, and while I only fought as an amateur, I won some, lost some, but never went out by clinging on to a guy for dear life in the wake of multiple warnings by a ref to stop it. There can be honor and dignity in losing, and Akinwande showed neither when getting DQd.
Wasted talent on both sides. Among boxers that wasted their talent and did not reach their full potential: Akinwade (no desire), Oliver McCall (drug addiction/legal problems), James Toney, Riddick Bowe, Buster Douglas, Riddick Bowe (food), Mike Tyson (crazy), Johnny Tapia (gangs), etc...
Henry akwinlandle not a bad pro but nothing special boring to watch n without a punch. This is the man who beat up John fury over 25 years ago, so come on guys it just shows big John is not this unbeatable monster people make him out to be, just a hype job in my opinion. I'm not saying he won't beat Micky Theo who boxed amateur n is no mug on the street either im just saying they're both well into there 50's so it might not b the mismatch it's made up 2 be. I just hope it doesn't happen cos both men should be enjoying life in a rocky chair smoking a pipe. Not ranting over the internet on whos the hardest, it's embarrassing n dangerous. Especially when it's time were trying to save lives not waste them!
