McCall vs Cobia: Atomic Bull Ends Fight Early as Cobia Fails to Answer the Bell
At 59 years old, former heavyweight champion Oliver McCall is proving he’s not done with boxing just yet. In his second fight since returning to the ring, McCall vs Cobia ended quickly, as McCall easily defeated Gary Cobia, a 52-year-old who hadn’t fought in nearly a decade. The bout took place at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville, the same venue where McCall picked up a win in November.
The fight didn’t last long. After just one round, Cobia decided not to continue, giving McCall another victory in his unexpected return to the sport.
A Return to the Ring at Nearly 60 Years Old
McCall’s comeback is surprising, considering most fighters his age have long since retired. But the former world champion still has the power and durability that made him dangerous in his prime. With this win, he improves his record to 61 wins, 14 losses, and 40 knockouts—a remarkable resume for a fighter still competing at his age.
His opponent, Cobia, took the fight on short notice. Given that he last fought in 2015, it was clear he was rusty. McCall, on the other hand, stayed composed, landed his shots, and forced Cobia to quit before the second round even began.
Source: Oliver McCall wins second comeback bout as he stops Gary Cobia in one round
McCall’s Legendary Past: The Man Who Shocked Lennox Lewis
McCall is best known for his shocking 1994 knockout victory over Lennox Lewis, a win that earned him the WBC heavyweight title. That fight is still talked about today as one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
After winning the title, he went on to defeat Larry Holmes, a former champion himself, before losing the belt to Frank Bruno. His 1997 rematch with Lewis was unforgettable—but for all the wrong reasons. That night, McCall famously had an emotional breakdown in the ring, refusing to fight back as Lewis reclaimed his title.

Still Tough After All These Years
Despite the ups and downs of his career, McCall never faded away from the sport. He became a respected gatekeeper, known for his nearly indestructible chin and ability to test rising heavyweights. Even as the years passed, he remained one of the toughest fighters to stop.
Now, he’s back in the ring at an age when most fighters are coaching, commentating, or enjoying retirement. While it’s clear he isn’t facing elite competition anymore, McCall is still proving that he can handle himself against fellow veterans.
What’s Next for McCall?
At this stage, it’s hard to say how long McCall will keep going. He’s won two comeback fights in a row, but at 59 years old, how much more does he have left?
If he continues fighting, he’ll likely stick to matchups against older or inactive fighters like Cobia, rather than stepping in against younger, active heavyweights. For now, he’s enjoying the victories and reminding people why he was once a world champion.
As for Cobia, his record now drops to 3 wins, 5 losses. Taking a fight against McCall on short notice didn’t work out in his favor, and it’s unclear if he’ll return to the ring again.
For McCall, though, the comeback continues. Almost 30 years after shocking the world, he’s still here, still winning, and still proving that “The Atomic Bull” isn’t ready to stop just yet.
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