09.11.05 – By Joe Harrison: Things haven’t been going so well lately for Jameel “Big Time” McCline (32-6-3, 20 KO’s). He’s lost each of his last 3 fights, the most recent one being against Zuri Lawrence (20-10-4, 0 KO’s) in Hollywood, FL. However, McCline doesn’t intend on backing off. On November 26th, only a month after his previous fight, McCline will step back into the ring. This time, he will face Andy Sample (32-11-2, 21 KO’s) at the Convention Center in Ft. Smith, AR..
From the start of his career, it was evident that McCline had never been one to give up so easily. Even after starting off his professional career with an unappealing record of 2-2-1, he was not discouraged. He continued onward, and six years later, stunned the boxing world when he scored a 1st round technical knockout win over Michael Grant in July of 2001. Then, in his next fight, he upset Lance Whitaker with a unanimous decision, also gaining the WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title. Next, he scored another big win by getting a unanimous decision over Shannon Briggs.
With those wins, he earned a shot at Wladimir Klitschko’s WBO heavyweight title in December of ’02. Unfortunately, McCline lost to Klitschko by a 10th round technical knockout. Still motivated, McCline moved forward looking to get back into the title picture.
In McCline’s next fight, he scored a 3rd round technical knockout over Charles Shufford. Then, he handed Cedric Boswell his first loss with 10th round technical knockout win. Finally, he defeated Wayne Llewelyn with a 1st round technical knockout.
Therefore, in November of ’04, McCline earned another shot at a heavyweight title, this time against Chris Byrd for his IBF belt. McCline put up a good fight, even knocking Byrd down in the 2nd round. However, two of the judges felt that Byrd did enough to win, handing him a split decision.
Still feeling confident, McCline kept going and stepped into the ring with the undefeated prospect Calvin Brock. Brock stayed undefeated by handing a loss to McCline via unanimous decision.
Still hungry to get back into the championship picture, McCline went after Steve Pannell and knocked him out in the 3rd round. Only two months later, McCline went up against Zuri Lawrence, but lost by unanimous decision.
Jameel McCline just won’t give up. He continues to seek the championship stage, this time against Andy Sample. A win will help him get back on the right track, and then we can expect to see him again soon. But another loss will only provide more evidence that it’s past McCline’s time, and that he has run out of chances.