Jamaica’s first world boxing champion, Michael “The Body Snatcher” McCallum, received a hero’s welcome in Montego Bay following his historic WBA Junior Middleweight title victory over Sean Mannion at Madison Square Garden. Thousands gathered in Sam Sharpe Square to witness the 27-year-old beaming champion accept the keys to the city from Mayor Shallman Scott. Escorted by Minister Edmund Bartlett, McCallum waved from an open-top car as cheering crowds lined the streets.

Published Friday, November 9, 1984

McCallum home to hero’s welcome

Declaring his victory “a mission accomplished,” Jamaica’s World Junior Middleweight Boxing Champion, Michael McCallum, arrived at Sangster International Airport yesterday afternoon to a tumultuous hero’s welcome.

Thousands gathered shortly after in Sam Sharpe Square to see Jamaica’s first world boxing champion receive the keys to the city in a civic ceremony staged in his honour.
The world champion alighted from the aircraft, waving and blowing kisses to the hundreds who stood by on the tarmac. Minister of Youth and Community Development Edmund Bartlett escorted him from the plane.

A bevy of girls in costumes sang songs of welcome to the 27-year-old champion who, on the night of Friday, October 19, won the WBA championship at Madison Square Garden, New York, when he defeated Sean Mannion to become the first Jamaican to win a world boxing title.
As the champion was being introduced to Custos Billy Craig, Mayor Shallman Scott, Ministers of Government Kenneth Baugh and Marco Brown, and other dignitaries, two huge banners bearing the words “Welcome Home to World Champion Michael McCallum” fluttered in the cool afternoon wind that swept across the airport.

Wearing a navy blue suit and sporting tinted glasses, McCallum told newsmen:
“My title has come as a mission accomplished. This, of course, is not the end of the mission, but it is a dream come true. All along I wanted to be a world champion for myself, for my country, and my family.

I have been on the road for a long time. I have been abused and misused, but I hung in there and today I am happy. Thank God, I am the champion of the world.”
While McCallum spoke with the press, an elated Kid Bassey, a legend in Jamaica’s boxing history, pressed forward to embrace him.
“Many others have tried and failed, but thanks – you have done it for us,” Bassey said as he congratulated McCallum.

The welcome at the airport was befitting the champion, who rode in an open-top car driven by Wesmoore Thomas, a Montego Bay sports enthusiast, to a grand ceremony in Sam Sharpe Square.

Escorted by police outriders, McCallum waved and raised aloft his championship belt as the car cruised along the main thoroughfare in the heart of the tourist area. Thousands who lined the streets strained to see their newest sporting hero, and thousands more converged on the historic square for the formal welcome home.

The heavy rains that fell earlier in the day did not dampen the spirit of those who came out to salute the new world champion and watch him receive the key to the city from Mayor Shallman Scott.

From as early as 1 p.m., hundreds began pouring into the square, selecting vantage points to see the champion. Scores of people perched on rooftops, waving miniature flags and banners.
The champion arrived in an open-top Toyota Cressida, preceded by the Montego Boys’ Club Band. Hundreds of schoolchildren clamoured for his autograph.
Chants of “Welcome home, Mikey!” floated across the square as McCallum was escorted by Minister Bartlett to the platform.

Dr. Herbert Eldemire, manager of the Montego Bay Boxing Club and chairman of the ceremony, described the occasion as historic. “All Jamaica,” he said, “is proud of McCallum’s achievement, and this huge turnout is testimony to that fact.”

Minister Bartlett, who witnessed McCallum’s triumph in Madison Square Garden, commended the champion for his humility.

“It is indeed appropriate that this welcome for Michael McCallum should be held in this historic square named after one of our National Heroes,” he said. “Although the objectives may not be the same, Sam Sharpe fought for political, social, and economic liberation for the people, while Michael McCallum fights to bring glory to himself and his country. Both brought honour and pride to their people.”

Bartlett noted that the road to success was not easy, but said the lesson to be learned from McCallum’s victory was that “we can make it if we try hard enough.”
A cultural presentation by the Hatfield Dance Group and Anchovy Secondary School added glamour to the ceremony. McCallum pledged to keep the championship for Jamaica, calling his victory a dream come true, and urged young sportsmen to strive for excellence.

Joining in commendations were Custos Billy Craig and Health Minister and Member of Parliament Dr Kenneth Baugh, who both spoke of the pride brought to Jamaica by McCallum’s victory and the patriotism he continues to display.
The world champion was garlanded by three members of the Montego Bay Boxing Club on behalf of its membership.

Later, McCallum was the guest of honour at a reception hosted by the Montego Bay business community at the Seawind Hotel.

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