V.Interesting quotes from new Nige interview

Greg Nicholas · Post by **Greg Nicholas** » 07 Jul 2007, 14:00

"Even though i made £10 million in 10 years, i never felt like i was rich and certainly haven't got money to burn now. You see, i always spent it as soon as i got it, always. I had houses all over the place- quite a few in the East End over the years, some out in Miami, Tenerife, LA. Just loads of houses.

"i bought clothes every afternoon after training, changed my jewellary every week, most of the jewellary i had was unworn, and because i was training so much i'd eat alot and spend maybe two grand a month on food alone- the vast majority of people don't have two grand in their bank account and probably never have had.

"Actually, i used to pity people because i thought 'I'm not all that happy and i've got all this material and bank statements with all these telephone numbers on, what must they feel!?'. Now i know the majority of people must have been far happier than i was.

"You know, i was clubbing every night, buying everyone drinks every night for 10 years! It was crazy. i had all the flash motors, bought flash motors for alot of my mates. i was buying clothes or jewellary for every family member in London, even distant blood, i'd go through each family member over time then start back over again and again!

"it's just crazy when i think back. Having girls and women throwing themselves at me all the time, and standing there and catching them like frizbees!

"But when you do all that, all you're doing it for is a fix. The fact you need a fix points to problems. Those who don't need a fix have true friends to turn to or God- i had neither. i thought i had friends, but when i realised i had none i almost killed myself."

"When you're looking for a fix that's because you're looking to get away from the devil for a few hours, a few minutes even. instead of looking for a fix, or buying fixes, i'm asking people to look for God and pick up a Bible for free. He beats the devil hands down, with 20 ounce sparring gloves he sparks him out every time!"

"Tyson and Hagler were my heros, but i'd never let them know when i met them because i wanted to look cool in front of them! i wouldn't kiss their hands or bow, even though inside i felt like it. Actually, i never told anyone i had heros because i thought it would show weakness. Whenever i cried, i always made sure i was alone for the same reason. When you need fix after fix, things well up inside and it eventually causes a breakdown. i had my fair share of breakdowns, put it that way.

"When you're a bully, you can't show what you percieve as any kind of weakness in front of anyone because then you're dropping you're mask and you won't be able to walk out the house. The only reason i went to Miami was because i was too embarassed to walk down the street anywhere in Britain after the Watson fight!

"i actually tried to stop my American debut fight being shown on British TV because i was still embarassed from the Watson fight. i guess i had alot of issues."

"Tyson was my man. Hagler got me into boxing, but Tyson got me in love with boxing. When Hagler fought Minter, i hadn't really sat and watched boxing before that - my thing was martial arts.

"Me and my mates would try to copy moves from martial arts films and i even entered a kickboxing tournament with no proper training. Then there was this Alan Minter boxing match on so i watched it and fell for Hagler. Obviously, him being aggressive and bullying Alan around the ring appealed to me.

"But when i was in the Army and then boxing at West Ham, even though i was sparking everyone i fought, boxing wasn't high on my agenda. i'd watch Hearns and Duran if they were on, didn't like Leonard, i watched Tony Sibson and never wanted to miss a Hagler fight.

"it (boxing) was just my way of letting out my aggression legally, stopping me streetfighting and going to jail."

"it (the aggression) came from the fact my warrior knight had been taken away when i was eight, namely my older brother Andy who i was besotted with. My view was that somebody out there did that to him and if there was even the slightest chance it could be the lad i'm boxing, or before that the average lad walking past me in the street, i'm sure as hell going to make him pay! Bang, bang-bang, i'd just lose it. it was the devil. He had me on a string."

"i saw Tyson coming through the ranks on Grandstand and that's what inspired me to carry on boxing. i pretty much quit (boxing) when i lost for the first time - to Rod Douglas, the future pro. But seeing Tyson coming through the ranks on Grandstand, that's the sole reason i went away and trained myself ragged every day and came back and bashed Douglas up and won the ABAs and turned pro."

"i will still follow boxing, but i don't really love the sport anymore. i was at the Hatton fight in Vegas. But when you realise God wants us to look after eachother and not put any harm on eachother, it turns you off boxing. i like to think boxing was just a part of my life, nine years out of 43 and a half years is a small section.

"in many ways it's the work of the devil. i am still a fan of the sport, but what i'm trying to endorse is prayers over punches. if someone dies with a needle in his arm, could he have been saved by boxing? No. He's going to a place far worse. Only God can save you. God, and only God. Boxing doesn't save anyone."

"David Haye has great speed and power. When he hits any cruiserweight right, they aren't going to get up. (And) He'll beat any heavyweight to the punch. That's my call.

"Ricky has two or three big fights left in him. He should leave Junior Witter where he is, i was on the cusp of greatness three times but lost fights i was supposed to win three times and didn't need to take any of those fights. i could have gone and fought Michael Nunn, Tommy Hearns and Roy Jones in America instead and broke the bank, and they were all hittable and i could hit.

"That's why Calzaghe needs to go over there (America) now and forget everyone else. He needs a boxer like Bernard Hopkins or Jermain Taylor next or he may well regret it."

"After McClellan, i fought for money. i wasn't fighting for glory (after McClellan)- not truly. Not only that, but i had alot of damage that didn't help. There was scar tissue on my brain that had no time to heal, i mean i was slurring my words!- i'm not now. There was internal damage- traces of blood in my urine from busted kidneys that had no time to heal, which they are (healed) now.

"Actually, if i made a comeback right now at 43, but with the hunger i had for glory when i was fighting for titles not money, i reckon i could give the Nigel Benn of his last three or five fights abit of a going over!"

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 07 Jul 2007, 14:20

Disarmingly honest stuff there from Nigel. I've always had a lot of respect for Nigel. It was clear he was a man with a lot of pent up rage, and it's good that he seems to have found some closure on things.

rhino222 · Post by **rhino222** » 07 Jul 2007, 14:40

in all honesty i dont have much time for all this 'god squad' and 'god bothering' stuff, but nigel benn was such a dam hero of mine that when he talks i listen !!

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 07 Jul 2007, 18:27

Nigel was a great fighter and one of the reasons I got into boxing - he may of found God but its good to hear that he still follows the game to some extent.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 07 Jul 2007, 18:35

I don't like bible bashers, but if it's given Nige peace of mind, then good for him.

Greg Nicholas · Post by **Greg Nicholas** » 08 Jul 2007, 08:54

Yeah the Bible bashing was annoying but incredible how Nige Benn of all people would be thumping that Bible, who'd have thought it..?

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 08 Jul 2007, 10:49

I have little time for organised religion either, but if it helps Nigel find inner piece, good luck to him I say.

I still get the feeling that deep down inside him The Dark Destroyer still lurks, just don't wake it up!!!

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 08 Jul 2007, 12:51

Do you remember a story that some guy snatched a bag containing Nigel's bible . Imagine being the guy and seeing Benn chasing after you, bet he must have shat it

Des1 · Post by **Des1** » 08 Jul 2007, 13:03

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I don't like bible bashers, but if it's given Nige peace of mind, then good for him.

Nice coment!

they probably wouldnt like you either!

1southpaw · Post by **1southpaw** » 08 Jul 2007, 13:58

i once met benn while he was training at the matchroom and the way he came across to me i just thought that privately he was a man of god as he said above he diddn't want to show any weakness until he realised that he has nothing to prove to anyone also he has more time to read up on it

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 08 Jul 2007, 14:02

Greg Nicholas wrote:Yeah the Bible bashing was annoying but incredible how Nige Benn of all people would be thumping that Bible, who'd have thought it..?

I am not too shocked then Benn has become very religious as I am sure I read years ago that he believed in God.

Also Benn always struck me as the kind of guy who does everything with 100% effort. So once he left the ring and became more into his faith he just puts as much effort into it as he did to his Boxing

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 09 Jul 2007, 04:55

Not surprised to hear Benn say that he was just going through the motions for the money post Mclellan. It looked like that....

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jul 2007, 05:28

Exactly, the old testament would definitely be an 18 film, if they made a realistic version of it. Hell, I doubt it would even be shown in the cinema, you'd have to download it from some sort of sicko website.

That's what makes me crack up when Christian's talk about how Islam is a religion of violence, do they not read the bible? God was forever telling people to go and slay everyone in the village. What about God sencind the angel of detah to kill the first born of everyone in Egypt?

However, as a christian, you are meant to turn the other cheek, however, I don't think God sees it that way, judging by what an angry bastard he is in the old testament.

Jesus is sort of like the cuddly-wuddly version of god. A bit like David Cameron to Margaret Thatcher.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jul 2007, 05:52

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Then someone said "Oi! That's a bit bright innit? It's making me eyes hurt, I've just woken up!"

And god said "Sorry mate, I'll use the dimmer, do you mind if I just put it on low, it's just it's really dark in here, and I need to see what I'm doing, all this creation is bloody hard work, but I understand you had a bit of a big one last night, so I'll try and keep the noise down. By the way, fancy coming for a pub lunch later, my treat!"

T.M.K · Post by **T.M.K** » 09 Jul 2007, 07:31

jamesmcdonnell wrote: however, I don't think God sees it that way, judging by what an angry bastard he is in the old testament.

A little more tact in future please Mr McDonnell. :thumbdown:

best wishes

"T.M.K"

jeej · Post by **jeej** » 09 Jul 2007, 07:34

If boxing is such a bad sport and against his religion, why did he bother going to the Hatton fight?

T.M.K · Post by **T.M.K** » 09 Jul 2007, 07:35

Goz wrote:Not surprised to hear Benn say that he was just going through the motions for the money post Mclellan. It looked like that....

Indeed my old friend.

It's funny how everyone has leapt on his religious comments. I love the perception of "Bible Bashers". The guys at my work were absolutely gobsmacked one Monday morning when I mentioned I'd been to church the day before..... "but you drink, like boxing, threatened to punch that bloke when he was out of line - and you go to church?" I always laugh. I think they expect "bible bashers" (which is very different from someone who is a "believer") to constantly bring religion into everything and always try to convert people.

Anyway, back to the really juicy part of the interview: Boxing. It is great, as Goz said, to see Nigel admit this stage of his career was on the wind-down. When fought the Nardiello's and Perez's, even the 3 losses he ended on... he just looked like a man going through the motions.

It was a shame he couldn't have got a 10th succesful defence in though.

best wishes

"T.M.K"

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 09 Jul 2007, 07:41

Great stuff from Nigel, honest as always, and if his new found faith is making him happy then good luck to him.....

J · Post by J » 09 Jul 2007, 08:14

T.M.K wrote:
Goz wrote:Not surprised to hear Benn say that he was just going through the motions for the money post Mclellan. It looked like that....
Indeed my old friend.

It's funny how everyone has leapt on his religious comments. I love the perception of "Bible Bashers". The guys at my work were absolutely gobsmacked one Monday morning when I mentioned I'd been to church the day before..... "but you drink, like boxing, threatened to punch that bloke when he was out of line - and you go to church?" I always laugh. I think they expect "bible bashers" (which is very different from someone who is a "believer") to constantly bring religion into everything and always try to convert people.

Anyway, back to the really juicy part of the interview: Boxing. It is great, as Goz said, to see Nigel admit this stage of his career was on the wind-down. When fought the Nardiello's and Perez's, even the 3 losses he ended on... he just looked like a man going through the motions.

It was a shame he couldn't have got a 10th succesful defence in though.

best wishes

"T.M.K"

because when people bring religion which is a personal thing in most people's eyes, into general conversation most of which is often unrelated, it comes acccorss as sanctimonious pious and pompous. Often illplaced #(see Naz preaching Islam while stood on a bud advert pre the Berrerra fight). Often depply religious people are under the illusion that others want to know about their new found faith or the word of God when often people dont at all.

In additon to this Nigel has just been uncovered as having ANOTHER affair after preaching his mended ways and begging his wife for forgiveness.

Now Benn is one of my heroes in the ring but religion should be kept personal in my view and he bangs on aobut it when his actions back it up too little Im afraid.

thats why people jump on the religion thing.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jul 2007, 08:29

T.M.K wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote: however, I don't think God sees it that way, judging by what an angry bastard he is in the old testament.
A little more tact in future please Mr McDonnell. :thumbdown:

best wishes

"T.M.K"

Why? That's my opinion, the god of the old Testament is a very nasty bit of work, always condeming and punishing people.

The christian religion is based on Jesus in any case. It's his teachings.

The old testament is Judaism not christianity.

Rocky Balboa · Post by **Rocky Balboa** » 09 Jul 2007, 09:15

I don't have an opinion on Nigel's religious beliefs, but if it makes him happy, content etc, then good luck to him. Live & let live I say!

It appears Nigel is an extremely honest person & realises the mistakes he's madfe in the past. You have to admire someone who is so honest when talking about their past & all the rest of it.

Get the feeling Benn can wake up & look at himself in the mirror, knowing that he's a different person to the one of years ago. Nigel says he hasn't got money liker he shoud have considering how much he made from boxing, but surely, he must have a nice few quid, investments etc?

Benn seems a smart, wise man nowadays! Think Benn still follows the sport closely after all these years. It's probably in his blood. Interesting to hear he feels Ricky has got 2/3 fights left in him.

Nice to hear refer ot the good old days when Tyson fights were broadcast on Grandstand. Those were the days indeed!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jul 2007, 09:35

Rocky Balboa wrote:I don't have an opinion on Nigel's religious beliefs, but if it makes him happy, content etc, then good luck to him. Live & let live I say!

It appears Nigel is an extremely honest person & realises the mistakes he's madfe in the past. You have to admire someone who is so honest when talking about their past & all the rest of it.

Get the feeling Benn can wake up & look at himself in the mirror, knowing that he's a different person to the one of years ago. Nigel says he hasn't got money liker he shoud have considering how much he made from boxing, but surely, he must have a nice few quid, investments etc?

Benn seems a smart, wise man nowadays! Think Benn still follows the sport closely after all these years. It's probably in his blood. Interesting to hear he feels Ricky has got 2/3 fights left in him.

Nice to hear refer ot the good old days when Tyson fights were broadcast on Grandstand. Those were the days indeed!

That's my thoughts on it, if he's managed to turn his life around as a result, rather than living like an animal, as it sounds like he did in the past, good for him. Whatever makes him happy.

On a side note, sadly, 'live and let live' is just the opposite of how most religious people seem to feel. Condemnation of people who fall outside of their particular set of rules is the norm.

J · Post by J » 09 Jul 2007, 09:39

QUITE JAMES QUITE.

there a time and place for it, if I wanted to be preached to Id go to church not read boxing magazines / sites.

SuperSedgy · Post by **SuperSedgy** » 09 Jul 2007, 09:49

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
T.M.K wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote: however, I don't think God sees it that way, judging by what an angry bastard he is in the old testament.
A little more tact in future please Mr McDonnell. :thumbdown:

best wishes

"T.M.K"
Why? That's my opinion, the god of the old Testament is a very nasty bit of work, always condeming and punishing people.

The christian religion is based on Jesus in any case. It's his teachings.

The old testament is Judaism not christianity.

No! Christianity is based on both the Old and New Testiments, but perhaps the focus is more on Jesus in most Churshe today. God is the same but the two books were Written at different time when believers needed different things hence the apparent difference in tone.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jul 2007, 10:00

Yes, but, the books of the new testament is the history of the jewish nation, and was never intended to be appropriated by the christian faith.

Jesus was himself a Jew, lest we forget.