[bigben]

JAMEEL McCLINE vs. CALVIN BROCK

McCline, coming off a split decision loss to Chris Byrd, an 8-5 favorite according to Wallstreet.com Sportsbook over the undefeated (24-0) Brock, in by far his toughest fight to date.

McCline dropped Byrd in round two of their November meeting for Byrd’s version of the heavyweight title and outlanded him 40-22 in power shots before fatigue set in on his 270-lb body. As McCline searched for his second wind, Byrd began piling up points, outlanding McCline 165-84 over the last six rounds-even scoring a 10-8 round 11 after landing 45 of 93 total punches on the statuesque McCline, who averaged 56 punches per round in his losing effort, landing 30%. Byrd landed 39% of his total punches, outlanding McCline 70-25 in the last two rounds.

His split-decision loss to Byrd helped to clear up the stench left from his “no-show” in December of 2002 vs. the stamina-challenged Wladimir Klitschko. McCline averaged just 31 punches thrown per round-landing an average of six per round, before getting stopped at the end of round ten. He was down in round 10, as baby brother Klitschko landed 49% of his power shots for the night.

Prior to Klitschko, McCline had big wins over the underachieving Shannon Briggs and identity-challenged Lance “Goofi” Whitaker. Briggs weighed a career-high 268 lbs (he weighed 227 for Foreman & 228 for Lewis) and managed to throw just 27 punches per round. McCline needed to throw just 37 per round, dropping Briggs in round six enroute to a unanimous decision win.

“Big Time” was a 6-1 ‘dog vs. Whitaker, who was coming off a 2nd round ko of the then hot Oleg Maskaev. McCline took away the 6’8” Whitaker’s jab- averaging 15 per round of his own. Whitaker managed to land just 10 jabs all night!! McCline averaged 48 punches per round.

McCline put himself on the heavyweight map in July of 2001, when he ko’d Michael Grant in just :43. It was Grant’s first fight back after a 15-month layoff following his 2nd round ko loss to Lennox Lewis.

Brock’s only been a pro a little over four years, having fought just 81 professional rounds. His biggest woin came in his last fight, in January, vs. the upright challenged Clifford Etienne. After a fairly even first round, Brock dropped Etienne once in round two, then twice more in the third round to end the fight. He averaged 46 punches per round and landed 33% of his power shots.

Last May, Brock decisioned the previously undefeated Terry Smith (20-0-1), the draw against the 8-3 Kendrick Releford. Brock averaged 57 punches per round, and 25 jabs per round. He landed 35% of his total punches.

Brock, an avid tap dancer, is regarded as the puncher in this fight. He should use his superior foot and hand speed to take McCline into the later rounds. McCline’s motivation has been questioned in the past. He cannot afford another loss and must fight like a man on a mission, yet pace himself and avoid another meltdown. McCline by split decision.

[Tommy]

Dont know much about these 2, Good article!

Thanks Ben! :D

[naught33]

thx for the info ben....although id think if mccline wins itll be by KO here

[naught33]

nice call on brock, mccline had him but failed to put him away