Nigel Benn

Nigel Benn
Born	Nigel Benn (1964-01-22) January 22, 1964 Ilford, England
Nationality	British
Other names	Dark Destroyer
Statistics
Weight(s)	Middleweight Super Middleweight
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	48
Wins	42
Wins by KO	35
Losses	5
Draws	1
No contests	-

Nigel Benn (born January 22, 1964), known as "The Dark Destroyer", is a British former boxer who held world titles in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions.

Benn was also in the British Army, where he served in The Troubles for 18 months. He attended Loxford School of Science and Technology, Ilford, Greater London. Now he lives in Mallorca, Spain with his family.

Boxing career

Barbadian British, Benn comes from a sporting family that includes a famous cousin in the football world, Paul Ince, who would often accompany Benn to the ring for his UK fights. Benn had a record of 41 wins and 1 loss as an amateur boxer. He turned professional in 1987 with a win over Graeme Ahmed in Croydon. This win began a streak of 22 consecutive knockout wins for Benn. The streak extended until 1989. During this time Benn's accomplishments included beating Fermin Chirino and Anthony Logan, winning the British commonwealth middleweight title with a win over Abdul Umaru, and retaining it against David Noel, brother of former world lightweight champion Claude Noel.

At 22-0 (22 KOs), Benn fought Michael Watson in a heavily hyped bout in May 1989 at Finsbury Park, London. Throwing nothing but hooks, Benn repeatedly failed to get through Watson's tight guard, and gradually tired whilst being stunned numerous times himself.

In the sixth round, Watson knocked Benn down with a jab and Benn was counted out as he rose to his feet, albeit by a somewhat hasty referee's count.

His next fight, against Jorge Amparo in Atlantic City, U.S., was his first fight abroad and also the first to last the full distance, with Benn winning a 10 round decision.

WBO middleweight champion

After two more wins against Sanderline Williams and Jose Quinones, Benn fought WBO middleweight title holder Doug DeWitt of the USA in Atlantic City. Benn was knocked down in round two, but came back to knock DeWitt down in round three, then score three knockdowns in round eight to win the title.

His first defence came in August 1990 against former WBC champion Iran Barkley, whom he floored three times and stopped on the three-knockdown rule at the end of the first round. Benn returned to the UK and met British rival Chris Eubank. They fought in Birmingham on November 18, 1990. Benn lost his title to Eubank when the referee stopped the fight in the ninth round.

See also Benn vs Eubank

WBC super middleweight champion

Benn then went on a winning streak of six fights leading up to another world title challenge. In 1991, he beat Marvin Hagler's half brother, Robbie Sims, by a knockout in round seven, followed by a close, disputed decision win against Thulani Malinga, and a one-punch KO victory against Dan Sherry.

On October 10, 1992, Benn challenged Mauro Galvano for the WBC super middleweight title in Palaghiaccio de Marino, Marino, Lazio, Italy. After a controversial dispute at ringside over the official result after Galvano was unable to continue due to a severe cut, Benn was declared the winner and won the title by a fourth-round TKO.

He defended it three times, against fellow Britons Nicky Piper and Lou Gent, and a rematch victory over Mauro Galvano, before meeting rival Chris Eubank (who was now the WBO super middleweight champion) again on October 9, 1993. This time they fought to a disputed draw, both fighters retaining their respective titles.

Benn defended his title twice more against fellow Briton Henry Wharton and Juan Carlos Giminez before defending against WBC middleweight champion Gerald McClellan in February 1995. Most American experts gave Benn little chance. In an exciting fight Benn was knocked through the ropes in the first round and was knocked down again in the eighth round, however Benn managed to twice work his way back into the fight and was able to stop McClellan in the tenth round. At the time of the stoppage, two judges had McClellan ahead and one had the fight even.

Unfortunately, however, McClellan was severely injured as a result of the fight. After collapsing in his corner after the fight had finished, McClellan was rushed to hospital where it was discovered he had developed a blood clot on the brain. To this day McClellan is almost completely blind, partially deaf, and uses a wheelchair, although he has regained some movement and can walk with a cane. In 2007, McClellan, his wife and children attended a benefit dinner organized and hosted by Benn to help McClellan with his ongoing medical expenses.

Two more defences followed against future WBC title holder Vincenzo Nardiello and American Danny Perez before Benn lost his title with an uncharacteristically lacklustre performance to old rival Malinga in 1996.

Benn twice attempted to take the WBO super middleweight title from Steve Collins but failed in both attempts: losing by TKO in four in the first fight, his usual mobility hampered by an ankle injury. He retired following the second loss to Collins in 1996, retiring on his stool at the end of the sixth-round.

Retirement

Nigel Benn retired from the sport of boxing and became a DJ, He later appeared in the first series of the ITV reality TV show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.

Benn has since developed a strong faith and now lives with his family on the Spanish island of Mallorca, where he is a born again Christian. He also became an ordained minister.

Benn's autobiography, published in 2001, is called Dark Destroyer.

Benn is also featured in the documentary film "Fallen Soldier", directed by Bobby Razak, which examines his bout with McClellan.

Nigel is also a Patron of The Shannon Bradshaw Trust, a UK Children's Charity based in the North West, helping children with life threatening conditions and their families. www.shannonstrust.org.uk

Amateur accomplishments

• Amateur boxing: 41 wins 1 loss
• Undefeated Welterweight for the First Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers between 1982 and 1984 - won titles all the way up to heavyweight and trained others in his regiment's boxing team
• 1986 ABA Middleweight Champion, avenging a previous loss to Rod Douglas.

See also

• Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank

External links

• Boxing record for Nigel Benn from BoxRec (registration required)
• House Collection Series
• Recent interview with Nigel Benn