Three-time world champion Mike McCallum dies aged 68

The Jamaican held versions of super welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight titles.

GLORY DAYS: James Toney and Mike McCallum fight for the IBF and Lineal middleweight titles on August 29, 1992 at the Convention Center in Reno, Nevada. Toney won the fight in 12 rounds. Pic: Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Former three-weight world champion Mike McCallum has died at the age of 68.

The Jamaican, who held versions of super welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight titles between 1984 and 1995, died after being taken ill near his Las Vegas home.

Jamaica's sport minister Olivia Grange wrote on Instagram: "It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica's three-time World Boxing Champion Michael McKenzie McCallum.

"I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sport, I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican.

"We hope they find strength in this time of bereavement."

As a distinguished amateur, McCallum - who was known as 'The Bodysnatcher' due to his vicious punching ability to the body - won welterweight gold for Jamaica at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.

He switched to the paid ranks in 1981 and won his first 32 professional fights, with stand-out victories over Milton McCrory and Don Curry.

McCallum beat Herol Graham and Michael Watson in world middleweight title fights in London, as well as outpointing Ireland's Steve Collins in Boston.

He retired in 1997 with 49 wins and one draw from 55 fights, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.