A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m.../McClellan.jpg
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
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGz-unNi1dU
A video of a piece done by Teddy Blackburn, a photographer for SI. It is mostly footage of G-Man today. Not a good thing to see but very realistic in terms of the way boxing can leave some guys. :(
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Shame how he turned out but i find it hard to feel sorry for him due to his cruelty to dogs. Sickening really but hey that's Karma i suppose. Great fighter but not a very nice man i'm afraid. Would have loved to see him in with James Toney or Roy Jones.
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
The dog thing is twisted to put it mildly. In my mind though, what he would've deserved from that was a prison stint - not a life sentence as a brain dead, blind almost deaf vegetable.
What he is experiencing I cannot help but feel "sorry" for. Human nature takes over when the shit hits the fan.
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
I think a year or two ago, Nigel Benn actually organized a charity event to raise money for McClellan, and it was considered a big success. The dog thing is a more complicated issue than its made out to be. It obviously ain't right, but its also to do with where you grow up, as I know that it goes on round my area. What happened to McClellan was in no way deserved regardless, I don't agree with how animal rights groups continue to send him hate-mail, that to my mind is just disgusting, the guy is in an unimaginable situation
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Good stuff.Another case of we'll never know how good or how long he would have exelled save for the tragedy.He had all the makings,freakish frame,tenacity unmatched and was an explosive offensive dynamo.He took alot of heat for his outside of the ring affairs with dogs.I didnt 'know' him as a civilian,that can be a slippery slop with any fighter really.Just as An awesome fighter cut short between the ropes and left to struggle day to day doing things that many take for granted.
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
andykopgod
Shame how he turned out but i find it hard to feel sorry for him due to his cruelty to dogs. Sickening really but hey that's Karma i suppose. Great fighter but not a very nice man i'm afraid. Would have loved to see him in with James Toney or Roy Jones.
what did he do to dogs may i ask
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Quote:
what did he do to dogs may i ask
He was the Micheal Vick of his day - reportedly.
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DMan37
Quote:
what did he do to dogs may i ask
He was the Micheal Vick of his day - reportedly.
still not no. who the hell micheal vick. did the g man torture them or like screwing them of something ????
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
paddy448
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DMan37
Quote:
what did he do to dogs may i ask
He was the Micheal Vick of his day - reportedly.
still not no. who the hell micheal vick. did the g man torture them or like screwing them of something ????
He shot dogs, deprived them of the only defence they have (by taping their mouths shut) all in the name of dog fighting. I also read in a thread he went crazy in a car park running flamingos over I think.
I agree with JazMerkin though, you don't just start doing stuff like that. Kids are never born evil, they see what they see and as they say, monkey see monkey do.
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kel
Quote:
Originally Posted by
paddy448
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DMan37
He was the Micheal Vick of his day - reportedly.
still not no. who the hell micheal vick. did the g man torture them or like screwing them of something ????
He shot dogs, deprived them of the only defence they have (by taping their mouths shut) all in the name of dog fighting. I also read in a thread he went crazy in a car park running flamingos over I think.
I agree with JazMerkin though, you don't just start doing stuff like that. Kids are never born evil, they see what they see and as they say, monkey see monkey do.
dammit man thats screwed up,i dont no where to stand on the whole feelin sorry for gerald shit after that. to me dogs are like humans there family. it hurts to here that shit. maybe karma does exist.
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kel
Quote:
Originally Posted by
paddy448
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DMan37
He was the Micheal Vick of his day - reportedly.
still not no. who the hell micheal vick. did the g man torture them or like screwing them of something ????
He shot dogs, deprived them of the only defence they have (by taping their mouths shut) all in the name of dog fighting. I also read in a thread he went crazy in a car park running flamingos over I think.
I agree with JazMerkin though, you don't just start doing stuff like that. Kids are never born evil, they see what they see and as they say, monkey see monkey do.
i do agree tho kids are not born evil they see what they see and they do. but shit man thats hard to hear
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
paddy448
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kel
Quote:
Originally Posted by
paddy448
still not no. who the hell micheal vick. did the g man torture them or like screwing them of something ????
He shot dogs, deprived them of the only defence they have (by taping their mouths shut) all in the name of dog fighting. I also read in a thread he went crazy in a car park running flamingos over I think.
I agree with JazMerkin though, you don't just start doing stuff like that. Kids are never born evil, they see what they see and as they say, monkey see monkey do.
i do agree tho kids are not born evil they see what they see and they do. but shit man thats hard to hear
no one is born evil, but you don't have to have some traumatic experience to turn you into a sick fuck like McClellan, hell just cause something is big where you grow up doesn't mean you can't tell right from wrong, hell cock fighting here is LEGAL, and it's part of our culture here in PR, do i agree with it, no, i think it's wrong, and shouldn't be done, but hell to each there own
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ElTerribleMorales
Quote:
Originally Posted by
paddy448
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kel
He shot dogs, deprived them of the only defence they have (by taping their mouths shut) all in the name of dog fighting. I also read in a thread he went crazy in a car park running flamingos over I think.
I agree with JazMerkin though, you don't just start doing stuff like that. Kids are never born evil, they see what they see and as they say, monkey see monkey do.
i do agree tho kids are not born evil they see what they see and they do. but shit man thats hard to hear
no one is born evil, but you don't have to have some traumatic experience to turn you into a sick fuck like McClellan, hell just cause something is big where you grow up doesn't mean you can't tell right from wrong, hell cock fighting here is LEGAL, and it's part of our culture here in PR, do i agree with it, no, i think it's wrong, and shouldn't be done, but hell to each there own
full stop. what he did is fucked up by any standards.i seen some very messed up shit as a younster but i still no right from wrong . aint karma a mother fuker
Re: A Fallen Warrior - Gerald McClellan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
paddy448
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ElTerribleMorales
Quote:
Originally Posted by
paddy448
i do agree tho kids are not born evil they see what they see and they do. but shit man thats hard to hear
no one is born evil, but you don't have to have some traumatic experience to turn you into a sick fuck like McClellan, hell just cause something is big where you grow up doesn't mean you can't tell right from wrong, hell cock fighting here is LEGAL, and it's part of our culture here in PR, do i agree with it, no, i think it's wrong, and shouldn't be done, but hell to each there own
full stop. what he did is fucked up by any standards.i seen some very messed up shit as a younster but i still no right from wrong . aint karma a mother fuker
that's exactly what i'm saying, there's no excuse for what he has done
