30 years ago

Date: 24th September 1994

Venue: Wembley Arena, London, United Kingdom

Title: WBC World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Matchroom Boxing, Don King Productions

Referee: Jose Guadalupe Garcia

Tv: HBO Sports

Lennox Lewis
( 25 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 238 lbs

Oliver McCall
( 24 - 5 - 0 )
Weight: 231¼ lbs

The clash between Lennox Lewis and Oliver McCall at Wembley Arena on September 24, 1994, remains one of the most significant heavyweight upsets of the 1990s. Lewis entered the ring as the undefeated WBC World Heavyweight Champion, boasting a record of 25-0 with 20 knockouts. At 238 pounds, the British fighter was heavily favoured to defeat the 231¼-pound McCall, whose record of 24-5 included respectable victories but no wins of comparable significance.

This was a critical juncture in Lewis's career. Negotiations were underway for a high-profile showdown with Riddick Bowe, with both camps eyeing a fight to unify the heavyweight division within the next six months. McCall, trained by Emanuel Steward, was expected to provide Lewis with routine defence. The odds reflected this perception, with Lewis a 5½-1 favourite.

The fight, promoted by Matchroom Boxing in collaboration with Don King Productions, drew approximately 7,000 spectators. HBO Sports carried the broadcast, underscoring Lewis's international appeal as a reigning champion. The bout started predictably, with Lewis using his jab to control distance, his size and reach advantage evident. McCall, however, approached the fight with calculated aggression, seeking opportunities to land his power shots.

The turning point came early in the second round. As Lewis pressed forward, McCall unleashed a perfectly timed right hand that landed flush on Lewis's chin. The champion went down heavily, stunning the crowd. Rising at the count of six, Lewis attempted to steady himself, raising his gloves and signalling his readiness to continue. However, his legs betrayed him as he stumbled toward referee José Guadalupe Garcia, who assessed the situation and waved off the contest. The time of the stoppage was 31 seconds into the round.

McCall's victory was as decisive as it was shocking. The referee faced immediate scrutiny for what some called a premature stoppage. Lewis himself voiced frustration, insisting he could continue: "I was totally robbed. I was cleared to fight on." Garcia, however, defended his decision, citing his responsibility to safeguard the fighters. "I'm absolutely sure about what I did. Lennox Lewis was knocked out. Allowing more punches on Lewis could have had fatal consequences," Garcia explained.

For McCall, the result validated a strategic plan. "I was trying to catch him with that shot from the opening bell," he revealed post-fight. His trainer, Emanuel Steward, echoed the sentiment, stating, "It was no lucky punch. It was well planned." Lewis, in contrast, dismissed the outcome as the product of chance, a sentiment that would not sit well with boxing purists or McCall's camp.

The aftermath was immediate and transformative for Lewis. He parted ways with trainer Pepe Correa and brought Steward, ironically the architect of McCall's upset. The loss forced Lewis to re-evaluate his approach and refine his technical and defensive skills, ultimately contributing to his evolution as one of the greatest heavyweights ever.

For McCall, the victory represented the pinnacle of his career. The payday of $1 million was dwarfed by the significance of the achievement: dethroning an unbeaten champion on foreign soil. Lewis, who earned $3.5 million, would later reclaim his status at the top of the division, but the shock of this defeat would remain a defining moment in his journey.