22.04.05 – By Jeff Steward: Famed trainer Emanuel Steward is fond of saying something to the effect that a good big man will beat a good little man every time. This Saturday night it will be a big man, Jameel “Big Time” McCline, versus Calvin Brock. Brock at 6’2″ and typically weighing in around 222lbs can only be considered little by the new crop of heavyweights like McCline who stands at 6’6″ and lately comes to the ring at 270 plus pounds..
The real question that boxing fans will have Saturday is how good is either guy? The Olympian Brock has been untested in building his 24-0 record, with Clifford Etienne as the only widely known opponent. As the boxing public continues its search for the next dominate champion, Calvin “The Boxing Banker” Brock has got to establish some real ring credit.
McCline on the other hand, has some ring debt to pay. In two title shots he has come up short and the “Big Time” clock is ticking. He needs a solid win. With the 20 to 30 lb weight advantage, a 5″ reach advantage, and more experience in big fights a win should be right there for McCline to seize. However, Brock has a good amateur career, a higher KO percentage (83%), and, many believe, betterskills.
McCline’s best wins were against Michael Grant and Shannon Briggs where he was willing to let it go and mix it up a bit. But in other fights he has been tentative, a by-product of having no amateur career. To win against Brock he will have to let it all hang out and press his advantages. He needs to use his height and reach to make Brock work and pay to get inside. When Brock succeeds McCline needs to tie him up and lean that weight on him. Brock on the other hand needs to take full advantage of McCline’s tentativeness and outwork the bigger man. It may not be as impressive as a KO of the giant but it will bring a solid win. Of course if the knockout comes, take it. Either way, we’ll be there and watching for the fight itself, and for the glimmer of something better, if not bigger to come.