27 years ago

Date: 7th February 1997

Venue: Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada

Title: vacant WBC World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Main Events

Referee: Mills Lane

Tv: HBO Sports

Lennox Lewis
( 29 - 1 - 0 )
Weight: 251 lbs

Oliver McCall
( 28 - 6 - 0 )
Weight: 237 lbs

On February 7, 1997, Lennox Lewis and Oliver McCall met at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas for the vacant WBC World Heavyweight Title. The fight carried significant historical and personal weight for both men. Lewis, ranked number one by the WBC, sought redemption after his shocking 1994 defeat to McCall, who was ranked second. That first meeting ended in a second-round TKO, with McCall delivering a thunderous right hand to dethrone Lewis. This rematch, however, would take an unexpected and surreal turn, ultimately becoming one of the most unusual bouts in heavyweight history.

Lewis entered the ring weighing 251 pounds, his heaviest to date, and was guided by Emanuel Steward, who had trained McCall for their first encounter. At 237 pounds, McCall appeared physically fit but carried signs of inner turmoil that had been the subject of speculation during the build-up. Despite public concern about McCall’s mental state, the fight proceeded, with Don King promoting McCall’s involvement under the Main Events banner.

Lewis established his superiority from the opening round, controlling the action with his jab and sharp combinations. McCall offered little resistance, retreating into a defensive shell and refusing to engage consistently. The pattern continued into the second round, with Lewis dictating the pace while McCall threw sporadic, half-hearted punches.

The third round marked the beginning of one of the strangest episodes in championship boxing. Instead of fighting, McCall began wandering around the ring with a detached expression, refusing to engage. His corner, led by trainer Emanuel Steward’s replacement, appeared at a loss. Referee Mills Lane repeatedly urged McCall to fight, but his pleas were ignored. The crowd, initially confused, began to jeer as McCall’s behaviour became more erratic.

By the fourth round, McCall’s actions had escalated. He dropped his hands entirely, walked away from exchanges, and appeared to cry between rounds. Lewis, unsure of how to proceed, cautiously landed clean punches on an opponent who seemed unwilling—or unable—to defend himself. McCall’s demeanour raised immediate concerns about his mental and emotional state, as commentators and ringside observers questioned why the fight was allowed to continue.

The bizarre spectacle ended just 55 seconds into the fifth round. Lane stepped in to halt the fight, declaring Lewis the winner by TKO. The victory marked Lewis’s reclamation of the WBC heavyweight title, but the surreal circumstances left many in attendance feeling uneasy. McCall’s breakdown overshadowed Lewis’s achievement, and the bout was quickly labelled one of the most bizarre events in the sport’s history.

In the aftermath, promoter Dino Duva expressed frustration, stating that McCall should never have been cleared to fight. “Don King should have never made him available to fight. He was in no condition to mentally or physically fight. We tried six weeks ago to get Don to replace him,” Duva said. The Nevada State Athletic Commission faced criticism for allowing the bout to proceed despite clear warning signs regarding McCall’s stability.

Lewis’s performance, though overshadowed by McCall’s behaviour, showcased his professionalism and discipline. The victory improved his record to 30-1 and solidified his place among the heavyweight elite. For McCall, the fight represented a nadir, with his behaviour sparking discussions about mental health in boxing and the responsibilities of promoters and commissions to protect fighters.

While Lewis regained the WBC title, the peculiar circumstances of the bout left it as a troubling yet unforgettable chapter in heavyweight history.