Boxing ring links McCall and son

There's a book in the works about Oliver McCall's life, and, if portrayed accurately, it will reveal quite a roller-coaster ride.

The highs will include McCall's climb to the top of the boxing world, culminating with his second-round knockout of Lennox Lewis in 1994 to win the WBC heavyweight championship.

The lows will include his inexplicable mental breakdown during his 1997 rematch against Lewis at the Las Vegas Hilton. While McCall cried inconsolably in his corner, referee Mills Lane had to stop the fight before the fifth round.

There also will be McCall's drug abuse, in-and-out stints in rehab and numerous brushes with the law, the latest in 2006 when he was arrested for trespassing and drug possession in Nashville, Tenn.

Now 44, McCall will try to write a new chapter tonight when he returns from a 19-month layoff, fighting Australian John Hopoate in the 10-round main event of Crown Boxing's fight card at The Orleans. McCall's 21-year-old son, Elijah, also is on the card, facing Chad Davis in a four-round heavyweight bout. The first bell is at 7 p.m.

"I think it's great," Oliver McCall said of sharing the ring with his son. "We talked about doing this a year ago and, to be honest, I wasn't sure it would happen because I thought I was going to be blackballed out of boxing."

However, the Nevada Athletic Commission approved McCall, who last fought Oct. 19, 2007, when he lost a 12-round decision to Juan Carlos.

McCall (51-9, 35 knockouts) blames only himself for problems outside the ring that led to his inactivity inside it.

"I put myself in a bad position," he said. "I made stupid choices, and I had to deal with the consequences. Had I been more disciplined, I could have been one of the greatest world champions.

"I've had some hurdles and obstacles to overcome. But I've learned from my mistakes. Now I live in the moment. I don't live for tomorrow. I focus strictly on today."

McCall leaves the future to his son, who gave up a promising football career to follow in his father's footsteps.

"I thought it would be the greatest thing for the McCall name for me to fight," Elijah McCall said. "I watched my dad, and I know what it takes to get there, and I also have seen his mistakes and I've learned from that, too."

One of seven children, Elijah McCall said boxing caters to his ego in a way football could not.

"In football, you have 10 other guys to help you," he said. "In boxing, it's just you and your opponent. It's a gladiator sport, and I consider myself a gladiator."

Tonight's fight will be the fourth of Elijah McCall's pro career. He has been training in Las Vegas for a year and is 2-0-1 after fighting Alvaro Morales to a four-round draw March 6 at The Orleans.

"He was tough for me because he held and hit a lot, and the ref let him get away with it," McCall said. "But every time I get in the ring, it's a learning experience."

Oliver McCall said his son has the natural ability to go as far in boxing as he did.

"He's probably better than me," he said. "He's got great speed and power. He's very athletic.

"If he can humble himself and listen better, he can go all the way to the top."

As for himself, McCall said he has something to prove against Hopoate, the Australian heavyweight champion and former rugby player who is 11-2 with 11 knockouts.

"I'm a fighter. This is what I do," McCall said. "I know I've been gone for a while, But I'm going to show everybody I'm back, and this time I'm sticking around awhile."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.