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A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
The world middleweight championship fight between Nigel Benn of England and Gerald McClellan of the United States occurred on February 25, 1995. Almost 14 years since that day. A day that not only changed the lives of both men but of thousands of boxing fans, among them I include myself. The brutal sport of boxing has so many darksides. This particular fight illuminates just how brutal and dangerous boxing can be. I see this event as being one that created a smorgasbord of emotions on many levels and in many arenas. There were the fans of each fighter often divided by the Britain vs United States theme. There were the special interest groups against the violence of boxing that came forward after the fight in numbers to protest. There were the two fighters, one left completely blind and 80% deaf and the other left emotionally scarred and living each day with an internal struggle of why, how and what if. Often I post YouTube videos in threads just for those that might be interested in viewing the material first hand. For this particular story I encourage all that view this compelling human spirit story to view the videos to enhance your interest and understanding of a day that rocked not only boxing but many that loved these two great fighters.
The story of Gerald McClellan appealed to me on many levels. He defeated Roy Jones, Jr. as an amatuer and once he fell under the tutelage of the Kronk gym in Detroit and legendary trainer Emanuel Steward his career soared to new and unprecedented heights. He ended his career 31-3, as a two time world champion and more astonishingly had 20 1st round knockouts that served as evidence of his ferocious knockout power. Today he struggles to gain back what most of us take for granted in his daily life. He cannot see, can barely hear and is permanently brain damaged. His loving sister Lisa McClellan takes care of him mostly with contributions from others. It is odd that no boxers have visited McClellan since this tragedy and only Roy Jones, Jr. has contributed money and asked about him. Today Gerald's world is alone and lost. A fragment of the man that formerly destroyed opponents in the ring.
What is often left out of the conversation when people look back to this fight is Nigel Benn. Benn was a warrior of epic proportions in the ring. He fought all comers and was reknown for wanting to fight the best of his era. He wanted to fight Roy Jones, Jr. so bad during his tenure as champion that he offered to fight the fight for free to make it happen. Benn was a hook specialist. His boxing style was a low to the ground approach that consisted of vicious hooks both inside the clinch and outside it. After the war with McClellan, Benn fought 5 more times losing 3 of them. He claims to have lost his fighting spirit and zest for life in general. He struggled for many years after the fight that changed time for McClellan and himself. He now lives in Spain and is an ordained minister that uses his faith to heal the wounds of this tragedy.
The lesson that can be derived from a tragedy of this nature is for all of us to be compassionate. To somehow understand that anything can happen on any given day that will change our lives forever. This fight has often inspired me to not take anything for granted in my daily life and to appreciate my blessings no matter how small they may appear. Gerald McClellan it would appear has no idea what happened to him. Nigel Benn knows what happened to him and cannot live it down. Life on life's terms can be brutal sometimes. Learn to appreciate the little things.
To contribute to the Gerald McClellan Trust: http://www.geraldmcclellan.com/trust.html
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Originally Posted by andykopgod
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