President of the Jamaica Boxing Board, Stephen “Bomber” Jones, has paid heartfelt tribute to legendary Jamaican boxer Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum, who passed away suddenly in Las Vegas on Saturday, calling his death a “huge loss” not just for Jamaica but for the global boxing community.

Speaking in an interview with Sportsmax.TV on Sunday morning, Jones said McCallum was the embodiment of Jamaican excellence in the ring and left an indelible mark on the sport.

“Mike McCallum was, if not the truest type of Jamaican boxing that we've ever had, then certainly one of our greatest,” Jones declared. “His skill and determination were unparalleled. His loss is massive — not just for the country, but for the world. He brought glory to our nation and continues to inspire many young athletes taking up the sport — not just to represent Jamaica, but to make a career out of boxing.”

McCallum, who was 68, made history by becoming the first Jamaican to win a world boxing title when he claimed the WBA junior middleweight crown in 1984. He would go on to win titles in three different weight classes — including the WBA middleweight and WBC light heavyweight championships — during an extraordinary career that earned him induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.

“From the Boxing Board, we want to extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and his fans worldwide,” said Jones. “Today he is still regarded as one of the biggest names in boxing, and his nickname — ‘The Body Snatcher’ — still commands respect. May he rest in peace. We will honour his memory by continuing to push the sport forward in his name.”

Jones also recalled McCallum’s presence in Jamaica during The Contender series, noting that while the boxer was based overseas, he always made time to connect with the local boxing community and remained emotionally invested in its progress.

“He stayed in touch. When he came here for The Contender series, that’s when I first met him,” Jones shared. “We spoke several times after that. He loved what we were doing — our efforts to qualify Jamaican boxers for the Olympics. Even though he trained and lived overseas, Jamaica was always in his heart. His dream was to help in any way he could — whether by working with local programmes or connecting with fighters in the diaspora who had Jamaican roots.”

Jones said McCallum had hoped to play a role in Jamaica’s preparations for the next Olympic cycle. “Even just having him around was motivating for our young fighters. His presence alone inspired belief. We were hoping he’d be able to lend that presence to our Olympic journey. That’s the kind of commitment he had.”

Beyond his accolades, Jones pointed to McCallum’s standing in the global boxing community, describing him as “a mentor” and “a symbol of Jamaican resilience.”

Among McCallum’s most memorable performances were his knockout wins over Don Curry, Milton McCrory, and the feared Virgin Islands power-puncher Julian Jackson — fights that remain etched in the minds of boxing fans. In particular, the 1986 clash between unbeaten champions McCallum and Jackson at the Convention Center in Miami Beach remains iconic. McCallum, then 26-0, was defending his WBA 154-pound belt for the third time, while Jackson, 29-0, was launching his first world title bid.

Jackson came out blazing, visibly shaking McCallum with a bomb of a left hook in the opening round. But the Jamaican remained composed. In the second round, McCallum’s superior technique and seasoned composure took over as he launched a calculated assault to both head and body. Jackson was dropped to a knee, and though he beat the count, McCallum unleashed a dazzling barrage of combinations that left the referee no choice but to stop the fight. The match — a meeting of two knockout artists — lasted less than six minutes, but firmly cemented McCallum’s reputation as one of boxing’s most efficient finishers.

“For me, that Julian Jackson fight stands out,” Jones reflected. “Because Jackson was such a dangerous, respected puncher — and Mike took him apart. But even beyond the wins, what really stood out for me were the fights that didn’t happen. It’s common knowledge in boxing circles that Mike was one of the most avoided fighters of his time.”

Jones said that while McCallum never shied away from any opponent, decisions were often made behind the scenes that kept top names from facing him.

“Sometimes it’s not the fighters — it’s their management that makes the call,” he explained. “They protect their investments, and Mike wasn’t a good business decision for many. He was just too good. That, to me, says everything you need to know about the level he was operating at.”

McCallum, affectionately known as “The Body Snatcher” for his devastating body punching, retired with a record of 49 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw — never having been stopped in any of his defeats. His legacy, according to Jones, is one that transcends titles.

“We will continue to honour his memory by pushing toward the goals he believed in — getting Jamaica back to the Olympics and producing champions who can carry on his legacy,” Jones said. “Mike McCallum was not just a champion — he was a national treasure. And his story is far from over, because we’re still writing it through the young boxers who are inspired by his greatness.”