Boxing icon who KO’d Lennox Lewis set to return aged 61 to continue 41-year sequence

Oliver McCall, 61, will return to the boxing ring again despite major health concerns.

McCall initially retired in 2019 with his career having already gone on for too long beyond his physical prime.

Country Box

The boxing icon has had a stellar career, which at it’s height in 1994, saw him stunningly become one of two fighters to knock out Lennox Lewis.

But he decided, against the wishes of the boxing community, to fight again professionally now into his 60’s.

McCall stopped two extremely limited rivals in his first two bouts since returning in 2024.

Although it was expected he would hang up his gloves again after drawing with journeyman Carlos Reyes last year.

Astonishingly, he will return again and make a renewed comeback once again at the age of 61.

It will be his 77th professional bout, which will have seen him have a streak of being active for 41 years.

He will fight again with promotional outfit Country Box.

And chief Jimmy Adams confirmed his targeted return plan.

Adams told World Boxing News: “We are looking at June 2 for Oliver McCall to get back in the ring.”

The American’s team have also confirmed there are worryingly no imminent plans to retire.

GETTY

Why is McCall fighting aged 61?

McCall achieved it all in boxing, reigning as world champion, while achieving notoriety by fighting some of the sport’s biggest names including Larry Holmes.

Of course, the American is now far away from winning any kind of title.

McCall has acknowledged that and insists he will simply keep going, on a fight-by-fight basis.

He said: “If I lose a fight, it’s over with as far as boxing, that’s a no brainer.

“That’s what makes me take it more or less fight by fight, getting to know the business more and dealing with people more.

“Just going through the things I’ve learned over the years and how to translate that over to the fighters [in training] so they can do what I want them to do, when they need to do it.”

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.