Government ministers and scores of Jamaicans lined the streets to celebrate the return of the World Champion, Michael McCallum. McCallum was victorious in his fight against Sean Mannion, making him the first Jamaican to win a world boxing title.

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.

He alighted from the aircraft waving and throwing kisses at 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 Gardens, 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 which 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 this 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 towards the boxer who embraced him. “Many others have tried and failed but thanks … you have done it for us,” said Bassey as he congratulated McCallum.

The welcome at the airport was befitting the champion, who rode in an open-top car driven by Mr Wesmoore Thomas, a sports enthusiast of Montego Bay, to a grand welcoming 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 line the streets strained to see their newest sporting hero. And thousands more converged on the historic Sam Sharpe Square for the formal welcome home.

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

From as early as 1 p.m., hundreds began pouring into the square, selecting vantage points from which to see the champion. Scores of people perched on the tops of buildings, some waving mini-flags and banners.

The champion arrived in the open-top Toyota Cressida which was preceded by the Montego Boys' Club Band.

Hundreds of schoolchildren were virtually falling over themselves in search of his autograph.

Chants of “Welcome home, Mikey” floated across the square as McCallum was escorted by Minister Bartlett to the platform.

Herbert Eldemire, manager of the Montego Bay Boxing Club and chairman of the ceremony, described the occasion as a historic one. All Jamaica, he said, was proud of McCallum’s triumph in Madison Square Garden, and he commended the champion for his humility.

“I think 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. “For although the objectives may not be similar, Sharp fought for political, social and economic liberation for the people while Michael McCallum is fighting today both as an occupation and as a means of bringing glory to himself and his country. Both brought glory and satisfaction to their people.”

Bartlett said the road to success was not an easy one but the lesson to be learnt from McCallum’s victory was that “we can make it if we try hard enough”.

The cultural presentation by the Hatfield Dance Group and the Anchovy Secondary School added glamour to the ceremony. McCallum pledged to keep the championship for Jamaica. His victory, he said, was a dream come true and he urged young sportsmen to strive for excellence.

Joining in commending McCallum were Custos Billy Craig and Health Minister and Member of Parliament Dr Kenneth Baugh. Both spoke of the pride brought to Jamaica by McCallum’s victory and of the level of patriotism he continued to display.

The world champion was garlanded by three members of the Montego Bay Boxing Club, on behalf of the membership.

McCallum was a guest at a reception hosted at the Seawind Hotel last night by the Montego Bay business community.

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