Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Move over Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, some real senior boxing just took place from the Troubadour in Nashville, Tennessee.
Just moments ago (Tues., Nov. 19, 2024), former WBC Heavyweight champion Oliver McCall (60-14-2) returned to action as a professional for the first time since 2019. His opponent, Stacy Frazier (16-23), entered the ring at a spry 54 years old himself. Their bout was the main event of the evening for the Country Box 25 Fight Night card. Sadly for “Bigfoot,” that five year youth advantage was not enough to overcome his foe’s skill advantage.
Frazier started the bout well enough, moving a lot behind the jab and trying to time his overhand. McCall stalked him for much of the first, failing to throw many strikes. His first right hand of the fight, however, chopped into the temple and floored Frazier near the bell.
Frazier stood up and survived the round, but the writing was on the wall. He was moving slower in the second, and McCall was confident in his power. “The Atomic Bull” charged his prey (languidly), scoring two more knockdowns in the second and bowling over McCall an addition time with a shove. The final knockdown proved the end of the contest, as Frazier didn’t return to his feet before the ten count expired.
Subsequently, McCall is now the oldest former heavyweight champion to win a professional boxing match per BoxRec.
McCall captured his WBC title way back in 1994 by defeating Lennox Lewis via second-round knockout. He would defend his title opposite Larry Holmes a year later before losing the belt to Frank Bruno. Lewis and McCall rematched in 1997 for the vacant belt, but Lewis was able to earn his revenge via a fifth-round stoppage.
Insomnia
Petr Yan has a lot of slick tricks up his sleeve. Here’s some nice same-side kicking from both stances!
Petr Yan faking a left hook simultaneously or just slightly before throwing his middle kick in order to draw their guard up & open up the body. Or catch them ducking into it. Either way, nice trickery from Petr. pic.twitter.com/En2ozQCHs0
— Fedor’s nephew (@FdrNphw) March 10, 2024
Uhh is Muhammad Mokaev coming back to the UFC?!? What happened to that Brave FC contract?
Free agent
Thank you to my previous management company and Tim Simpson for everything they’ve done
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) November 19, 2024
Remember when Darren Till was a genuinely talented up-and-coming title threat? This hurts to watch.
More memorable than the fight itself …
Ian Garry deserves credit for stepping up to face Shavkat where others would not.
I don’t blame Beterbiev for wanting an easy payday, but it’s still kind of sad.
‼️ Artur Beterbiev offering Jake Paul a shot at his undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO light-heavyweight world titles on Instagram today after the Mike Tyson fight… pic.twitter.com/gZ2pF8T0Er
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 16, 2024
Daniel Cormier mesmerized by the one-handed RNC finish …
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Michael Chandler says and does things that annoy me nowadays, but I’ll forever be a fan because of that first Bellator run. Around that time (2011-2013), I believe he was the best Lightweight in the world.
2011.11.19 | Hollywood, FL | ️ Bellator 58
13 years ago, Michael Chandler (8-0) defeated Eddie Alvarez (22-2) in the greatest fight in Bellator historypic.twitter.com/tliJyzpHNh
— Alexander Volkara France (@VolkaraFrance) November 19, 2024
Both of these clips add up to a next-level sequence of events.
An incredible way to turn the tide!
Random Land
Dope footage of the kingfisher:
Midnight Music: Jazz, 1965
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
