Sharkie’s Machine: "Tony Orlando & Wrong"

Jameel McCline Vs. Charles Shufford
(29-3-3-16 KO’s) (19-3-0-9 KO’s)

By Frank Gonzalez Jr.

10.05 - Heavyweight contender Jameel McCline (29-3-3-16 KO’s) made his comeback to the ring after being knocked out by Vladimir Klitschko last December, taking on Charles Shufford (19-3-0-9 KO’s) at Bally’s Grand Ballroom in Atlantic City, NJ.

Shufford was offering up an interesting test for Jameel McCline, when suddenly in the third round, the plug was pulled.

So stay tuned for this week’s episode, “The Premature Stoppage.” Starring, referee, Tony Orlando (sorry, no Dawn).

If Charles Shufford is really a great fighter about to bloom, we may never find out. So far, his only real claim to fame is his portrayal of George Foreman in the movie “Ali.” By the way, I don’t think he looks anything like Big George. He definitely doesn’t fight like him.

Charles is a decent fighter whose had a quiet boxing career in the pros. His mechanics are good, but he lacks that thing that makes a fighter a champion—killer instinct. Shufford tends to be mostly defensive. His natural inclination is more to keep his hands up high in cover—than to let fly with the punches. If he had a more aggressive temperament, who knows how dangerous he might be?

The best fighter Shufford ever faced was the same man who previously knocked out McCline—Vladimir Klitschko. V.K. knocked Charles out in the sixth round back in April of 2001. Shufford is sort of a stepping-stone class fighter, someone who, if you’re any good—you should beat. But Shufford’s not just going to give it to you—you have to take it. To his credit, when he takes the initiative, he does score. At least he did against 6-foot, 6-inch, 277-pound Heavyweight, Jameel McCline.

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The Fight

Round 1

McCline moves with the grace of a pregnant Yak. He wastes a lot of energy doing nothing. His protective belt was worn high—and his stomach is large. McCline weighed 15 pounds more than he did in his last fight. He definitely didn’t ‘over-train’ for this fight.

Shufford looked relaxed, maybe too relaxed, he hardly did anything. As McCline jabbed on occasion, Shufford showed good movement. McCline lunged with his jab when he scored. Shufford patiently waited for openings to attack when he scored. Both scored a couple of times, nothing special. Neither out did the other. 10-10 even.

Round 2

As Shufford moved in with his jab, McCline showed himself to be very hittable. On occasion, McCline remembers to jab and he does well with it. Shufford covered up a lot, letting McCline come to him. Finally, Shufford lets some punches fly and he catches McCline with nice combinations and a right hand that almost sent Jameel to the canvas. McCline survived Shufford’s attack. Going backward until the bell sounded, Jameel regained himself. Shufford did the most damage and was the more effective in this round. Tony Orlando did not stop the fight when McCline was in trouble. 10-9 Shufford.

Round 3

Instead of pursuing McCline and following up on the last round’s success, Shufford keeps his distance. Jameel instead becomes the aggressor and catches Charles with a nice left, right, left combo that sent him to the canvas in stumbling fashion.

Shufford beats the count but was a bit foggy. McCline goes for the kill. But Shufford was able to fend off most of Jameel’s shots, recovering himself as the fight pressed into the ropes. Suddenly, referee Tony Orlando steps between them and halts the contest. What? Shufford was not hurt. He was blocking everything McCline was throwing, why stop it? And with only seconds left in the round?

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Maybe Tony Orlando just honestly made a really bad call, maybe not. Like what might have happened, had the fight rightfully continued—we never will know?

McCline wins by TKO 3.

Controversial? Yeah, a little bit and I’ll tell you why.

This early stoppage gave the event the appearance that the sole purpose of this fight was confidence building for McCline after losing in a poor performance against Vladimir Klitschko. Well, that’s what it was. I just didn’t get the impression Shufford’s corner felt that way.

The stoppage was suspect. Shufford protested to the ref much the way he fights, passively. His father/trainer was in the refs face screaming. If Shufford had his father’s temper he’d be a better fighter.

Anyone watching could see that Shufford was blocking McCline’s shots and was not hurt. The stoppage was unfair to Shufford, who at least deserved a chance to show what he could do in the next round. But that’s the way it goes.

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Considering today’s HW division, McCline has the tools to be a Star. Good stamina, a good, strong jab, which he often forgets to use. His problem seems a lack of consistency to execute a fight plan. His confidence fluctuates and he often looks nervously hyperactive in the ring, wasting energy at times when he’s not even punching. If he were better prepared mentally, he could wreak havoc on the division. His defense is mediocre at best. His footwork can use some work. Bad balance can be a real problem when McCline steps up to better competition. With Jimmy Glenn and Buddy McGirt training him, he has good potential.

McCline does not enter the ring to gangsta rap or pretend to be a thug. McCline doesn’t disrespect the sport or his opponents with unnecessary bravado or childish behavior. He seems like a man dedicated to the game. With the right focus, his chances are good. I wish McCline the best. It would be great to see him at his best against top fighters. A rematch with Vladimir might be very interesting in the near future.

As for Shufford, he was robbed in my opinion and should seek a rematch as soon as possible. But that’s unlikely to ever happen. Imagine if Tony Orlando didn’t stop it and Charles had knocked McCline out in say the seventh round? He’d be a hot item tomorrow. Somehow it seems he was cheated out of his big chance.

Shufford is where he is—a middle of the road fighter who will occasionally fight big names, make some decent money and be familiar with the results.

With the Heavyweight division looking like a B movie these days, any good prospect can make some noise. With Lewis, Byrd, Rahman, K. Johnson, the Klitschkos (Roy Jones Jr.?) and aging warriors like Sanders, Tua, Evander and Iron Mike, McCline has as good a chance as anyone to win a title, especially since there are so many to choose from these days.

As for Shufford vs. McCline, well, at least it wasn’t on PPV.

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Agree or disagree? Send comments to: dshark87@hotmail.com