In 1989 Benn fought Michael Watson and lost by a sixth-round knockout. His next fight, against Jorge Amparo in Atlantic City, New Jersey, was his first fight abroad and also the first to last the full distance, Benn eventually winning a 10 round decision.

First championship

After two more wins against Sanderline Williams and Jose Quinones, Benn fought WBO middleweight champion Doug DeWitt of the USA in Atlantic City. Benn won the title by knocking out the extremely durable DeWitt in round eight.

His first defence came against former champion Iran Barkley on August 18, 1990, whom he floored 3 times and knocked out in the first round. Benn returned to Europe 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.

Second championship

Benn then went on a winning streak of 6 fights leading up to his next World Title challenge. In 1991, he beat Marvin Hagler’s half brother, Robbie Sims, by a knockout in round seven, followed by wins over future world champion Thulani Malinga and contender Dan Sherry.

On October 10, 1992, Benn fought Mauro Galvano for Galvano’s World Boxing Council super middleweight title. He won the bout and the title by forth-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 World Super Middleweight Champion) again on October 9, 1993. This time they fought to a draw, both fighters retaining their respective titles.

Benn defended his title twice more against iron chinned fellow Briton Henry Wharton and Juan Carlos Giminez Ferreyra before defending it against 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 dominated most of the bout and came back to stop McClellan in the tenth.

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 World Champion Vincenzo Nardiello and American Danny Perez before Benn lost his title with an uncharacteristically lacklustre performance to Thulani Malinga in 1996. A by now clearly faded 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 forthcoming 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

Professional Career Summary

Nigel Benn has a record of 42 wins, 5 losses and 1 draw, with 35 wins by way of a knockout as a professional boxer.