It’s typically a hard decision for a pugilist to walk away from the sport of boxing as a fighter. Knowing when to hang up the gloves is something that many athletes have a hard time coming to terms with and too often we see people fighting well beyond their best years.
At the moment former title challenger Miguel Callist is still debating his ring future on daily basis. Turning professional in 1993, Callist would go on to compile a 24-7-1 record while also landing a shot at the vacant WBA Lightweight title in 2004. His last fight was a decision loss to reigning WBC Jr. Welterweight champion Devon Alexander in March of 2008.
While Callist has yet to return to the ring his passion for the game is still very much alive. Callist will always be connected to the sport in some fashion and currently he is spending his time in Las Vegas, Nevada assisting IBF and WBA Super Bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero in the gym. While he may not be fighting actively, assisting his self described ‘brother’ from Panama has kept Miguel closest to what he loves.
Born in Panama City, Colon, nothing seemed to come easy for Callist. A random viewing of a classic bout from the early 80’s perked his interest and his love for the sport grew from there. Speaking recently from Richard Steele Boxing Club, Callist took me back to his early years in life.
“My childhood was very tough,” Callist stated. “I was raised in the ghetto and I saw all my friends go through bad times. One day I saw Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard fight. I was very small, like six or seven years old. I liked the movement of Sugar Ray Leonard and that inspired me to box. I actually lived in the back of the gym and it was so amazing for me to find boxing. I guess that’s how I had the love for the sport.”
Callist would try his hand at the sport and instantly he began raising eyebrows with his evasive style. The love and support from his country further fueled Callist’s fire.
“My friend used to tell me that I was the next Sugar Ray Leonard,” Callist reflected. “They took me to the carnival, to the club, to as many who could see me as possible and I eventually started an amateur career. My first professional fight was was very amazing for me. I was very scared because it was my first time fighting as a professional. Most of my early fights were in Panama. It was really great to fight at home because if you could fight good and you could make it the people would follow you and support you.”
In his native country Callist would learns the ins and outs of the sport while building up a solid record. He later would become aligned with one of sport’s biggest promoters and make the move to America in pursuit of better opportunities.
“I ended up moving to Miami for Don King’s camp in Florida,” Callist said looking back. “That was in 2002. My friend of mine was a great manager who used to manage Roberto Duran. He signed me to Don King back in 2001. America was a dream and where I’m from everybody wanted to come to America. It was a big dream and I said that I could make more for myself.”
Callist’s transition to the States went smoothly enough to the point where he lined up a title shot with Lakva Sim for the vacant WBA Lightweight title on the undercard of Lamon Brewster’s upset over Wladimir Klitschko at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in 2004. Despite losing to eventual champion Lakva Sim by TKO after suffering a damaging blow to the body Callist was able to take some positives away from his time in America.
“I fought in Philadelphia, St. Louis, and the biggest fight was in Las Vegas. I ended up losing the fight because I made a mistake with my diet so I paid for that. I never got to perform the way I wanted. I later had a big fight in St. Louis with Devon Alexander but I lost that one too.”
Following the Alexander loss Callist’s career seemed to be in question. Losing convincingly to his much younger foe, the man also known as ‘Miguelito’ was at a crossroads in his life. While never returning to the sport he still has visions of a comeback yet is content in helping Caballero for the moment.
“I’ve been laid off for over a year but I’ve still been involved in boxing. My brother, Celestino Caballero, is a world champion and I’ve been with him for like seven or eight title defenses. I will always be involved in boxing.”
Callist’s connection to Caballero is very apparent and he was instrumental in bringing his friend out to Las Vegas in the first place, as he sought out the services of one of the areas top trainers in Jeff Mayweather. In closing Callist opened up about how important it is for him to see Celestino succeed and what their future will hold.
“It means a lot for me because back home he wasn’t the guy who everybody wanted to see fighting. They wanted to see Guillermo Jones, Ricardo Cordova, Roberto Vasquez, and other champions. People didn’t like his style of boxing because he is awkward and that’s why we decided to get Jeff Mayweather to get him better. He’s a very disciplined guy in and out of the ring, even financially. He’s a very good fighter. We are here for training and we want to work with Jeff Mayweather for all of his career.”
