Nigel Benn

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Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn.jpg
Personal information
Nickname
The Dark Destroyer
BornNigel Gregory Benn
(1964-01-22) 22 January 1964 (age 61)
Ilford, Essex, England
Height5 ft 9+1⁄2 in (177 cm) [1]
Weight
Boxing career
Reach73 in (185 cm) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights48
Wins42
Win by KO35
Losses5
Draws1

Nigel Gregory Benn (born 22 January 1964) is a British former professional boxer now based in Australia who competed from 1987 until 1996. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and reigned as the WBC super-middleweight champion from 1992 to 1996. [2] He held the regional Commonwealth middleweight title from 1988 to 1989. In his career he defeated several world champions, including Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley, Thulani Malinga, Mauro Galvano, and Gerald McClellan. [3]

Contents

Benn retired with an 83.3% knockout ratio. [4] Notable fights include title defenses against Iran Barkley in 1989, [5] two world title contests against Chris Eubank in 1990 and 1993, and a world title fight against McClellan. He defended his world super-middleweight title in 1995. [6] Before his ring walks, the chimes of Big Ben were frequently played. [7]

Early life and amateur career

Benn was born in Ilford, Essex (now East London), on 22 January 1964. At the age of 18, Benn joined the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and was stationed in West Germany for three years. He was later stationed in Northern Ireland for an additional eighteen months. [8] After leaving the army, Benn joined the West Ham Amateur Boxing Club. [9] He became the Amateur Boxing Association Middleweight Champion in 1986. [10]

Professional career

Benn began his professional boxing career in 1987, achieving 16 consecutive knockout victories within the first year. On 20 April 1988, he won the vacant Commonwealth middleweight title by defeating Abdul Umaru via a second-round stoppage at Alexandra Pavilion, improving to 17–0 with 17 knockouts. [2] [11]

Over the next year, Benn had increased his undefeated streak to 22–0, with 22 knockouts, before facing Michael Watson in May 1989 in defence of his Commonwealth title. The bout was nationally televised and took place at Finsbury Park, London. [12] In the sixth round, Benn was counted out after Watson knocked him down with a jab, thus losing his title and ending both his undefeated record and his perfect knockout streak. [13]

Benn's next fight, against Jorge Amparo in Atlantic City, U.S., marked his first fight outside the UK, and the first to go the full distance. He won by a 10-round decision. [2]

WBO middleweight champion

After securing victories against Sanderline Williams and Jose Quinones, Benn faced WBO middleweight champion Doug DeWitt in Atlantic City. After being knocked down in the second round, Benn recovered, flooring DeWitt in the third round, and delivering three knockdowns in the eighth to claim the title. [14]

His first defence was in August 1990 against former WBC champion Iran Barkley. Benn won by virtue of the three-knockdown rule at the end of the first round.

Only three months later, Benn would return to the UK to make his second defence, this time against unbeaten British rival Chris Eubank (24–0). The build-up to the fight was noted for the intense acrimony between the two; in contrast to Eubank, who insisted that he did not hate Benn despite denigrating him and his abilities, Benn declared that he genuinely hated Eubank and intended to beat him severely. In a fiercely competitive bout held at Birmingham on 18 November 1990, Benn lost his title to Eubank by ninth-round technical knockout. Despite dropping Eubank in the eighth round, Eubank would come back in the very next round with a relentless flurry that left Benn staggered and largely defenseless against the ropes, forcing referee Richard Steele to step in. This was the second loss of Benn's career. [15]

WBC super-middleweight champion

Following his loss to Eubank, Benn returned in 1991 with a seventh-round KO victory over Robbie Sims (Marvin Hagler's half-brother). In July of that year, Benn made his super-middleweight debut with a fourth-round TKO over Kid Milo. After defeating two more journeyman fighters that year, he began 1992 with a one-punch KO victory against Dan Sherry. He followed this up with a unanimous decision win over the formidable Thulani Malinga, a future world champion whom Benn would face again years later.

Now on a six-fight winning streak, including five at super middleweight, Benn earned another shot at a world title. On 10 October 1992, Benn successfully challenged Mauro Galvano for the WBC super-middleweight title in Palaghiaccio di Marino, Marino, Lazio, Italy. Due to a severe cut, Galvano could not continue after the third round, awarding Benn the title.

Benn's move to the higher weight class led him to refine his fight strategy and adopt a more measured approach. [16] He successfully defended his title three times, defeating fellow Britons Nicky Piper and Lou Gent, followed by a rematch with Galvano that Benn won by unanimous decision. He then faced Chris Eubank, now WBO super-middleweight champion, in a unification bout on 9 October 1993. The bout ended in a draw, with both fighters retaining their respective titles. Benn defended his title twice in 1994 with unanimous decisions against Henry Wharton and Juan Carlos Giminez Ferreyra. [17]

Benn vs McClellan

In February 1995, Benn successfully defended his super-middleweight tittle. title against former WBC middleweight champion Gerald McClellan in a highly anticipated bout billed as Sudden Impact. Going into the fight, McClellan had won his last 21 fights, the last 14 by knockout with 13 of those knockouts in the first three rounds. Due to this record, many British media saw Benn as an underdog. [18]

In round one, Benn was knocked through the ropes as McClellan dominated early. Benn struggled in the early rounds, with McClellan in clear control. From rounds four to six, Benn began to shift the momentum, as McClellan showed signs of distress, repeatedly losing his gum shield, backing off for extended periods, and blinking continuously. McClellan responded in rounds seven and eight, knocking Benn down again in the latter. However, McClellan, now visibly fatigued, was unable to capitalise on his advantage. Benn won the fight by stoppage in the tenth round via knockout, as McClellan could not rise from his knees. At the time of the stoppage, two judges had McClellan ahead, while the third scored the fight as even, although these scores did not account for the two knockdowns Benn delivered in the final round. [19]

McClellan sustained serious injuries as a result of the fight. After collapsing in his corner post-fight, McClellan was rushed to the hospital, where doctors found a blood clot in his brain. McClellan fell into a coma for two weeks. The injuries left him with significant impairments: he suffers from short-term memory problems, is almost blind, partially deaf, and uses a wheelchair. However, since 1995, McClellan has regained some of his hearing, having been 80% deaf, and can now walk with a cane. In 2007, McClellan, his sister, and his children attended a benefit dinner organised and hosted by Benn to help McClellan with his ongoing medical expenses. [20]

After his fight with McClellan, Benn had two further successful title defences, with wins against future WBC title-holder Vincenzo Nardiello and American Danny Perez. Benn then faced Thulani Malinga in a 1996 rematch. Benn managed to knock Malinga down in the fifth round, but he would go on to meet the canvas himself in the twelfth round. Benn lost the contest by a split decision (118–109, 115–111, 112–114), thus ending his title reign. [21]

Benn vs Collins I and II

In 1996, Benn attempted to take the WBO super-middleweight title twice from Steve Collins, who had taken that particular title from Eubank. Benn failed in both attempts. In the first fight, he lost by TKO in round four after sustaining an ankle injury. In the rematch four months later, Benn was retired by his corner at the end of round six with Benn on his stool. He retired from professional boxing altogether shortly after the second fight. [2]

Return from retirement

On 24 September 2019, Benn announced his intention to return to boxing at 55, after a 23-year absence from the ring. Benn explained that he wanted "closure" after the unsatisfactory end to his boxing career in 1996. [22] He revealed plans for a bout against former WBC super-middleweight world champion Sakio Bika (34–7–3), scheduled for 23 November 2019. The British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction the fight, leading to its controversial sanctioning by the British and Irish Boxing Authority instead. [23] However, the fight was subsequently called off after Benn suffered a shoulder injury in sparring. Benn confirmed that he was abandoning his planned comeback. [24]

Life after boxing

In 1999, Benn attempted suicide, citing struggles with sex addiction and its impact on his family. He survived partly because the hosepipe he used to recycle exhaust fumes into his car disconnected repeatedly. Benn regards this incident as a turning point, after which he embraced Christianity and committed to remaining faithful to his wife. [25]

Benn works with at-risk youth [26] in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia, [27] and is dedicated to his charity work. He is an ambassador to the New South Wales Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) [28] and an advocate for healthy living. [29] Benn is also a Patron of the Shannon Bradshaw Trust, a UK children's charity based in the North West of England, helping children with life-threatening conditions and their families. [30]

Benn was inducted into the World Boxing Council (WBC) Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013 and is honoured alongside fellow Brit Joe Calzaghe, both WBC middleweight champions. His image is now on the sixth-generation WBC super middleweight belt. [29] [31]

Benn ran the 2013 City to Surf to raise funds for the most underfunded PCYC gym in Redfern, Sydney [32] and has undertaken many fundraisers for the charity since improving the boxing facilities in the most impoverished areas of Sydney. Benn regularly assists Christian groups, counseling individuals with addiction, [33] and along with his wife, Carolyne, counsels couples facing marital issues.

One of Benn's sons, Conor Benn, turned professional in 2016 and is currently fighting at welterweight. [34] Another son, Harley, [35] turned professional in 2017. [36]

In 2024, Benn joined fellow London boxers Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank for an Amazon Prime Video mini-documentary, Four Kings. [37] In the final episode, he revealed he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He also stated that he was aware of unresolved PTSD [38] due to the circumstances surrounding his older brother's death.

Professional boxing record

48 fights42 wins5 losses
By knockout354
By decision71
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
48Loss42–5–1 Steve Collins RTD6 (12), 3:009 Nov 1996NYNEX Arena, Manchester, EnglandFor WBO super-middleweight title
47Loss42–4–1 Steve Collins TKO4 (12), 2:446 Jul 1996 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, EnglandFor WBO super-middleweight title
46Loss42–3–1 Thulani Malinga SD122 Mar 1996 Telewest Arena, Newcastle, EnglandLost WBC super-middleweight title
45Win42–2–1Danny PerezTKO7 (12), 2:33 2 Sep 1995 Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandRetained WBC super-middleweight title
44Win41–2–1 Vincenzo Nardiello TKO8 (12), 1:4322 Jul 1995London Arena, London, EnglandRetained WBC super-middleweight title
43Win40–2–1 Gerald McClellan KO10 (12), 1:46 25 Feb 1995 London Arena, London, EnglandRetained WBC super-middleweight title
42Win39–2–1 Juan Carlos Giménez Ferreyra UD1210 Sep 1994National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, EnglandRetained WBC super-middleweight title
41Win38–2–1 Henry Wharton UD1226 Feb 1994Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, EnglandRetained WBC super-middleweight title
40Draw37–2–1 Chris Eubank SD12 9 Oct 1993 Old Trafford, Manchester, EnglandRetained WBC super-middleweight title;
For WBO super-middleweight title
39Win37–2Lou GentTKO4 (12), 0:3526 Jun 1993 Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, EnglandRetained WBC super-middleweight title
38Win36–2 Mauro Galvano UD126 Mar 1993 Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, ScotlandRetained WBC super-middleweight title
37Win35–2 Nicky Piper TKO11 (12), 1:4412 Dec 1992Alexandra Pavilion, London, EnglandRetained WBC super-middleweight title
36Win34–2 Mauro Galvano TKO4 (12)3 Oct 1992Palaghiaccio, Marino, ItalyWon WBC super-middleweight title
35Win33–2 Thulani Malinga SD1023 May 1992National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
34Win32–2 Dan Sherry KO3 (10), 2:3419 Feb 1992Alexandra Pavilion, London, England
33Win31–2Hector Abel LescanoKO3 (10), 2:357 Dec 1991 G-Mex Centre, Manchester, England
32Win30–2Lenzie MorganUD1026 Oct 1991Leisure Centre, Brentwood, England
31Win29–2Kid MiloTKO4 (10)3 Jul 1991International Centre, Brentwood, England
30Win28–2 Robbie Sims TKO7 (10)3 Apr 1991York Hall, London, England
29Loss27–2 Chris Eubank TKO9 (12), 2:56 18 Nov 1990 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, EnglandLost WBO middleweight title
28Win27–1 Iran Barkley TKO1 (12), 2:57 18 Aug 1990 Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, USRetained WBO middleweight title
27Win26–1 Doug DeWitt TKO8 (12), 0:4429 Apr 1990Caesar's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USWon WBO middleweight title
26Win25–1Sanderline WilliamsSD1014 Jan 1990 Caesar's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
25Win24–1Jose QuinonesTKO1 (10), 2:511 Dec 1989 Hacienda Resort Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, US
24Win23–1Jorge AmparoUD1020 Oct 1989 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
23Loss22–1 Michael Watson TKO6 (12), 1:3421 May 1989Majestic Ballroom, London, EnglandLost Commonwealth middleweight title
22Win22–0Mbayo Wa MbayoKO2 (10), 2:2028 Mar 1989 Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland
21Win21–0Michael ChilambeKO1 (12), 1:078 Feb 1989Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandRetained Commonwealth middleweight title
20Win20–0David NoelTKO1 (12), 2:0410 Dec 1988 Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London, EnglandRetained Commonwealth middleweight title
19Win19–0Anthony LoganKO2 (12), 1:1526 Oct 1988Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandRetained Commonwealth middleweight title
18Win18–0Tim WilliamsTKO2 (10), 0:5928 May 1988Royal Albert Hall, London, England
17Win17–0Abdul Umaru SandaTKO2 (12)20 Apr 1988Alexandra Pavilion, London, EnglandWon vacant Commonwealth middleweight title
16Win16–0Darren HobsonKO1 (8), 1:4913 Apr 1988Norwich Lads Boxing Club, Norwich, England
15Win15–0Greg TaylorTKO2 (8)24 Feb 1988 Afan Lido F.C., Port Talbot, Wales
14Win14–0Byron PrinceTKO2 (8)7 Feb 1988 Bingley Hall, Stafford, England
13Win13–0Fermin ChirinoKO2 (8)27 Jan 1988 York Hall, London, England
12Win12–0Reggie MillerTKO7 (10), 1:082 Dec 1987 Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
11Win11–0Ian ChantlerKO1 (8), 0:1624 Nov 1987The Hudson, Wisbech, England
10Win10–0Ronnie YoeTKO1 (8)3 Nov 1987Crowtree Leisure Centre, Sunderland, England
9Win9–0Russell BarkerTKO1 (6), 1:1513 Oct 1987Blazers Nightclub, Windsor, England
8Win8–0Winston BurnettKO3 (6), 1:5516 Sep 1987Royal Albert Hall, London, England
7Win7–0Eddie SmithKO2 (8), 1:088 Sep 1987Blazers Nightclub, Windsor, England
6Win6–0Leon MorrisKO1 (6), 0:251 Jul 1987Royal Albert Hall, London, England
5Win5–0Reginald MarksTKO1 (6)7 Jun 1987Royal Albert Hall, London, England
4Win4–0Winston BurnettTKO4 (8)9 May 1987Latchmere Leisure Centre, London, England
3Win3–0Rob NieuwenhuizenTKO1 (6), 2:0322 Apr 1987 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
2Win2–0Kevin RoperTKO1 (6)4 Mar 1987Festival Hall Super Tent, Basildon, England
1Win1–0Graeme AhmedTKO2 (8), 1:1028 Jan 1987 Fairfield Halls, London, England

References

  1. 1 2 ITV Sports tale of the tape prior to the Chris Eubank rematch.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Who is Nigel Benn? Background, record, championships, biggest wins of Benn's career | DAZN News US". DAZN. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  3. ↑ "Nigel Benn". Sugar Rays. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  4. ↑ "BoxRec: Nigel Benn".
  5. ↑ "Bunce: Nigel Benn's controversial comeback will be no easy ride". 26 September 2019.
  6. ↑ "Mayweather, Joshua, and Groves - the boxing season starts for real". September 2015.
  7. ↑ "VOTE: Your favourite ringwalk of the Year from the five we've picked". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  8. ↑ "Boxing: Nigel Benn swaps 'gangsters and sin' for soldiers and gym". The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  9. ↑ "West Ham Boxing Club (@westhamboxing) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  10. ↑ "1986 Amateur Boxing Results". amateur-boxing.strefa.pl. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  11. ↑ "BoxRec: Nigel Benn". BoxRec. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  12. ↑ "Nigel Benn vs. Michael Watson". BoxRec. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  13. ↑ "On This Date 30 Years Ago: Michael Watson Stopped Nigel Benn In A Domestic Classic - Latest Boxing News". www.boxing247.com. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  14. ↑ "Doug DeWitt vs. Nigel Benn - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  15. ↑ Lancaster, Rob. "25 Years On: Recalling the 1st Epic Fight Between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  16. ↑ "Nigel Benn". Knowledge. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  17. ↑ "BoxRec: Nigel Benn". boxrec.com. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  18. ↑ Gray, Tom (25 February 2015). "Nigel Benn recalls triumph, tragedy of Gerald McClellan fight". The Ring. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  19. ↑ "Nigel Benn". Knowledge. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  20. ↑ "Nigel Benn". Knowledge. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  21. ↑ "Nigel Benn vs. Thulani Malinga (2nd meeting) - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  22. ↑ Mitchell, Kevin (26 September 2019). "Nigel Benn's comeback at the age of 55 is a dangerous temptation of fate". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  23. ↑ "Benn to return to boxing at 55". BBC Sport.
  24. ↑ "Nigel Benn comeback fight off due to shoulder injury". BBC Sport. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  25. ↑ Campbell, Denis; correspondent, sports news (17 June 2001). "Sex addiction drove boxer to suicide bid". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved 2 February 2025.{{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  26. ↑ Skene, Patrick (9 June 2015). "Nigel Benn: 'Boxing is therapy for rage'". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  27. ↑ Daniel Lane (6 September 2013). "'When you think he is in darkness, that's a scary thought ... the darkness'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  28. ↑ "Gold Charity Ambassadors". City2Surf. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  29. 1 2 "Nigel Benn". Nigel Benn. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  30. ↑ "Meet the Team - Shannon Bradshaw Trust". Shannon Bradshaw Trust. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  31. ↑ "World Boxing Council". Wbcboxing.com. 6 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  32. ↑ "Media & Events". Pcycnsw.org. 10 August 2012. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  33. ↑ "Life Community :August 2014 News" (PDF). Salvos.org.au. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  34. ↑ "BoxRec: Conor Benn".
  35. ↑ Rafael, Dan (2016) "New pro Harley Benn: 'This is my journey'", ESPN, 19 October 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016
  36. ↑ "BoxRec: Harley Benn".
  37. ↑ Jeffries, Stuart (27 September 2024). "Four Kings review – boxing should be banned". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  38. ↑ Mitchell, Kevin (26 September 2019). "Nigel Benn's comeback at the age of 55 is a dangerous temptation of fate". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 5 June 2025.

[1]

Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
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Denys Cronin		 ABA middleweight champion
1986		Next:
Rod Douglas
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Tony Sibson 		Commonwealth
middleweight champion
20 April 1988 – 21 June 1989		Succeeded by
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBO middleweight champion
29 April 1990 – 18 Nov 1990 		Succeeded by
Preceded by WBC super-middleweight champion
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