Nigel Benn

Nigel Benn
Born	Nigel Gregory Benn (1964-01-22) 22 January 1964 Ilford, East London, England
Other names	The Dark Destroyer
Statistics
Weight(s)	Middleweight Super-middleweight
Height	5 ft 9+1⁄2 in (177 cm)
Reach	73 in (185 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	48
Wins	42
Wins by KO	35
Losses	5
Draws	1

Nigel Gregory Benn (born 22 January 1964) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1987 to 1996. He held world titles in two weight classes, including the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and the WBC super-middleweight title from 1992 to 1996. At the regional level, he held the Commonwealth middleweight title from 1988 to 1989. He scored wins over Champions Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley, Thulani Malinga, Mauro Galvano and Gerald McClellan.

Nicknamed "The Dark Destroyer", Benn retired with a 83.3% knockout ratio. His most well-known fights include the successful world middleweight title defence against Iran Barkley in 1989; the two all-British world title contests against Chris Eubank in 1990 and 1993 (Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank), and the successful—but tragic—defence of his world super-middleweight title against Gerald McClellan in 1995 (Nigel Benn vs. Gerald McClellan). In the build to his ring walks, the chimes from Big Ben would often be played before he made his entrance.

Early life and amateur career

Benn was born in Ilford, East London, on 22 January 1964. When Nigel was 8 years old, he lost his older brother, Andy, after he fell from the glass roof of a conservatory. Benn, aged 18, joined the Royal Fusiliers which was amalgamated into the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers on 23 April 1968. He was stationed in West Germany for three years, and then in Northern Ireland for eighteen months. On leaving the army, Benn joined West Ham Amateur Boxing Club.

Amateur accomplishments

• 1986 Amateur Boxing Association Middleweight Champion.

Professional career

Benn turned professional in 1987 and began a streak of 22 consecutive knockout wins. During this time, Benn won the vacant Commonwealth middleweight title with a second-round win over Abdul Umaru, at Alexandra Pavilion on 20 April 1988.

in May 1989 Benn (22-0, 22 KOs) lost his Commonwealth title against Michael Watson in a heavily anticipated bout at Finsbury Park, London (Nigel Benn vs. Michael Watson). The fight appeared on national television in the US. In the sixth round, Watson knocked Benn down with a jab and Benn was counted out as he rose to his feet.

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

WBO middleweight champion

Main articles: Nigel Benn vs. Iran Barkley and Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank

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

His first defense came in August 1990 against former WBC champion Iran Barkley. Benn won via the three-knockdown rule at the end of the first round. Benn returned to the UK and met British rival Chris Eubank three months later. They fought in Birmingham on 18 November 1990. Benn lost his title to Eubank in the ninth round after the referee stepped in and declared a win for Eubank via Technical knockout.

WBC super-middleweight champion

Beginning in 1991 with a seventh-round KO victory over Robbie Sims (Marvin Hagler's half-brother), Benn went on a winning streak of six fights leading to another world title challenge. Other noteworthy wins in this period include a disputed decision win against Thulani Malinga and a one-punch KO victory against Dan Sherry.

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

Benn's move to the higher weight limit saw him refine his fight strategy and adopt a more considered approach. The aggression remained but he relied less on one-punch knockout power and became a more effective, and adaptable fighter. He defended his title against fellow Britons Nicky Piper and Lou Gent, and a rematch victory over Mauro Galvano, before again Chris Eubank—who was 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 more in 1994 with unanimous decisions against Henry Wharton and Juan Carlos Giminez Ferreyra.

Benn vs McClellan

Main article: Nigel Benn vs. Gerald McClellan

In February 1995, Benn successfully defended his 168lb title against 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 of those by knockout; with 13 of those knockouts in the first three Rounds. McClellan had twice defeated the renowned power-puncher Julian Jackson, with knockouts in Round 5 and Round 1 respectively. McClellan had never been beyond Round 8 in any of his previous fights, insisting that he rarely needed more than three rounds to defeat his opponents.

In Round 1, Benn was knocked through the ropes as McClellan dominated early, appearing to make good on his pre-fight promises. Benn was forced to endure the early rounds, battling to survive in what became a brutal contest. From Rounds 4 to 6, Benn began to shift the momentum, as McClellan showed signs of distress, repeatedly losing his gumshield, backing off for extended periods, and blinking continuously. McClellan responded in Rounds 7 and 8, knocking Benn down again in the eighth round. However, McClellan, now visibly fatigued, was unable to capitalize on his advantage. Benn mounted a comeback and ultimately stopped McClellan by knockout in Round 10, with McClellan unable to rise from his knee. At the time of the stoppage, two judges had McClellan ahead, while the third had the fight even, although these scores did not account for the two knockdowns Benn delivered in the final round.

McClellan was severely injured as a result of the contest. After collapsing in his corner post-fight, McClellan was rushed to hospital where a blood clot was discovered on his brain. To this day McClellan has short-term memory problems, is almost completely blind, partially deaf, and uses a wheelchair. Although he has regained some movement and some of his hearing since 1995, having been 80% deaf and he 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.

After his fight with McClellan, Benn had two further successful title defenses, with wins against future WBC title-holder Vincenzo Nardiello and American Danny Perez. Benn then lost his title to Malinga in 1996 in a fight that saw Benn knock Malinga down in the fifth round, but in which he also met the canvass in the twelfth. Benn lost the contest by a split decision (118-109, 115–111, 112–114).

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 and beat him in a rematch. Benn failed in both attempts. In the first fight, he lost by TKO in Round 4 after sustaining an ankle injury. In the rematch four months later, Benn was retired by his corner at the end of Round 6 with Benn on his stool. Benn retired from professional boxing altogether shortly after the fight.

Return from retirement

On 24 September 2019, Benn announced his return to boxing at the age of 55 after 23 years of being out of the ring. Benn reasoned that he wanted "closure" after the unsatisfactory end to his boxing career in 1996 as he announced a forthcoming bout with former WBC super-middleweight world champion Sakio Bika (34-7-3) that was planned to take place on 23 November 2019. The British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction the fight, which instead was to be somewhat controversially sanctioned by the British and Irish Boxing Authority. However, the fight was subsequently called off when Benn suffered a shoulder injury in sparring. A disappointed Benn reluctantly confirmed that he was abandoning his planned boxing comeback.

Life after boxing

Benn was entered into the World Boxing Council (WBC) Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013 and was honored alongside fellow Brit Joe Calzaghe as the WBC's greatest super middleweight champion in history. His image is now enshrined upon the sixth generation WBC super middleweight belt.

Benn works with youth at risk in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia and is dedicated to his charity work. He is an ambassador to the New South Wales Police Citizens Youth Club's (PCYC) and is an advocate for healthy living. 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.

Benn ran the 2013 City to Surf to raise funds for the most underfunded PCYC gym in Redfern, Sydney and has undertaken many fund raisers for the charity since improving the boxing facilities in the most impoverished areas of Sydney. Benn regularly assists Christian groups, counselling individuals with addiction and along with wife Carolyne counsels couples who are facing marriage issues.

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

In 2024, Benn joined fellow London boxers – Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank – for a mini documentary, Four Kings. On the final episode, he admitted he had bipolar disorder, but unlike Bruno, he found out without being taken into mental testing by police. He was aware of his unresolved PTSD due to circumstances surrounding his older brother's death. He even tried to commit suicide by way of sleeping pill overdose with a mix of alcohol and recycling exhaust fumes back into the car to asphyxiate himself, but the feeder tube never connected properly.

Professional boxing record

48 fights	42 wins	5 losses
By knockout	35	4
By decision	7	1
Draws	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
48	Loss	42–5–1	Steve Collins	RTD	6 (12), 3:00	9 Nov 1996	NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England	For WBO super-middleweight title
47	Loss	42–4–1	Steve Collins	TKO	4 (12), 2:44	6 Jul 1996	NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England	For WBO super-middleweight title
46	Loss	42–3–1	Thulani Malinga	SD	12	2 Mar 1996	Telewest Arena, Newcastle, England	Lost WBC super-middleweight title
45	Win	42–2–1	Danny Perez	TKO	7 (12), 2:33	2 Sep 1995	Wembley Stadium, London, England	Retained WBC super-middleweight title
44	Win	41–2–1	Vincenzo Nardiello	TKO	8 (12), 1:43	22 Jul 1995	London Arena, London, England	Retained WBC super-middleweight title
43	Win	40–2–1	Gerald McClellan	KO	10 (12), 1:46	25 Feb 1995	London Arena, London, England	Retained WBC super-middleweight title
42	Win	39–2–1	Juan Carlos Giménez Ferreyra	UD	12	10 Sep 1994	National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England	Retained WBC super-middleweight title
41	Win	38–2–1	Henry Wharton	UD	12	26 Feb 1994	Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, England	Retained WBC super-middleweight title
40	Draw	37–2–1	Chris Eubank	SD	12	9 Oct 1993	Old Trafford, Manchester, England	Retained WBC super-middleweight title; For WBO super-middleweight title
39	Win	37–2	Lou Gent	TKO	4 (12), 0:35	26 Jun 1993	Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, England	Retained WBC super-middleweight title
38	Win	36–2	Mauro Galvano	UD	12	6 Mar 1993	Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, Scotland	Retained WBC super-middleweight title
37	Win	35–2	Nicky Piper	TKO	11 (12), 1:44	12 Dec 1992	Alexandra Pavilion, London, England	Retained WBC super-middleweight title
36	Win	34–2	Mauro Galvano	TKO	4 (12)	3 Oct 1992	Palaghiaccio, Marino, Italy	Won WBC super-middleweight title
35	Win	33–2	Thulani Malinga	SD	10	23 May 1992	National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
34	Win	32–2	Dan Sherry	KO	3 (10), 2:34	19 Feb 1992	Alexandra Pavilion, London, England
33	Win	31–2	Hector Abel Lescano	KO	3 (10), 2:35	7 Dec 1991	G-Mex Centre, Manchester, England
32	Win	30–2	Lenzie Morgan	UD	10	26 Oct 1991	Leisure Centre, Brentwood, England
31	Win	29–2	Kid Milo	TKO	4 (10)	3 Jul 1991	International Centre, Brentwood, England
30	Win	28–2	Robbie Sims	TKO	7 (10)	3 Apr 1991	York Hall, London, England
29	Loss	27–2	Chris Eubank	TKO	9 (12), 2:56	18 Nov 1990	National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England	Lost WBO middleweight title
28	Win	27–1	Iran Barkley	TKO	1 (12), 2:57	18 Aug 1990	Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US	Retained WBO middleweight title
27	Win	26–1	Doug DeWitt	TKO	8 (12), 0:44	29 Apr 1990	Caesar's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US	Won WBO middleweight title
26	Win	25–1	Sanderline Williams	SD	10	14 Jan 1990	Caesar's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
25	Win	24–1	Jose Quinones	TKO	1 (10), 2:51	1 Dec 1989	Hacienda Resort Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, US
24	Win	23–1	Jorge Amparo	UD	10	20 Oct 1989	Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
23	Loss	22–1	Michael Watson	TKO	6 (12), 1:34	21 May 1989	Majestic Ballroom, London, England	Lost Commonwealth middleweight title
22	Win	22–0	Mbayo Wa Mbayo	KO	2 (10), 2:20	28 Mar 1989	Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland
21	Win	21–0	Michael Chilambe	KO	1 (12), 1:07	8 Feb 1989	Royal Albert Hall, London, England	Retained Commonwealth middleweight title
20	Win	20–0	David Noel	TKO	1 (12), 2:04	10 Dec 1988	Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London, England	Retained Commonwealth middleweight title
19	Win	19–0	Anthony Logan	KO	2 (12), 1:15	26 Oct 1988	Royal Albert Hall, London, England	Retained Commonwealth middleweight title
18	Win	18–0	Tim Williams	TKO	2 (10), 0:59	28 May 1988	Royal Albert Hall, London, England
17	Win	17–0	Abdul Umaru Sanda	TKO	2 (12)	20 Apr 1988	Alexandra Pavilion, London, England	Won vacant Commonwealth middleweight title
16	Win	16–0	Darren Hobson	KO	1 (8), 1:49	13 Apr 1988	Norwich Lads Boxing Club, Norwich, England
15	Win	15–0	Greg Taylor	TKO	2 (8)	24 Feb 1988	Afan Lido F.C., Port Talbot, Wales
14	Win	14–0	Byron Prince	TKO	2 (8)	7 Feb 1988	Bingley Hall, Stafford, England
13	Win	13–0	Fermin Chirino	KO	2 (8)	27 Jan 1988	York Hall, London, England
12	Win	12–0	Reggie Miller	TKO	7 (10), 1:08	2 Dec 1987	Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
11	Win	11–0	Ian Chantler	KO	1 (8), 0:16	24 Nov 1987	The Hudson, Wisbech, England
10	Win	10–0	Ronnie Yoe	TKO	1 (8)	3 Nov 1987	Crowtree Leisure Centre, Sunderland, England
9	Win	9–0	Russell Barker	TKO	1 (6), 1:15	13 Oct 1987	Blazers Nightclub, Windsor, England
8	Win	8–0	Winston Burnett	KO	3 (6), 1:55	16 Sep 1987	Royal Albert Hall, London, England
7	Win	7–0	Eddie Smith	KO	2 (8), 1:08	8 Sep 1987	Blazers Nightclub, Windsor, England
6	Win	6–0	Leon Morris	KO	1 (6), 0:25	1 Jul 1987	Royal Albert Hall, London, England
5	Win	5–0	Reginald Marks	TKO	1 (6)	7 Jun 1987	Royal Albert Hall, London, England
4	Win	4–0	Winston Burnett	TKO	4 (8)	9 May 1987	Latchmere Leisure Centre, London, England
3	Win	3–0	Rob Nieuwenhuizen	TKO	1 (6), 2:03	22 Apr 1987	Royal Albert Hall, London, England
2	Win	2–0	Kevin Roper	TKO	1 (6)	4 Mar 1987	Festival Hall Super Tent, Basildon, England
1	Win	1–0	Graeme Ahmed	TKO	2 (8), 1:10	28 Jan 1987	Fairfield Halls, London, England

External links

• Boxing record for Nigel Benn from BoxRec (registration required)
• Recent interview with Nigel Benn (audio)