BoxRec

As many of you know, I am sponsoring a fundraiser for the families of Greg Page and Gerald McClellan. Recently it has come to my attention through the postings of some of the members that Gerald McClellan has been accused of cruelty to animals. I do not defend this behavior, however I knew nothing of this when setting up the event. It is not too late to change the event to be a benefit to Page only. I respect the opinions of those who post here and I would like to know whether you feel the event should be changed. I have not put out a press release on this yet. Remember ,and this has been my thinking all along, it is for Geralds family ,as it seems that Gerald may be injured permanently. He may have done some bad things but should his family and kids pay forever? I am looking for opinions on this because I believe this site is home to some of the best and most knowledgeable fight fans in the world.I would also like to know if Gerald has ever been aressted or charged with animal crulety.

If he has been to jail, been cruel to animals etc. the fact remains he is in a desperate situation and needs help. Also, it is worth bearing in mind that his family need help to help him. In my opinion, his family shouldn't have to pay for any of his misdemeanours. If you feel that you can't do the fundraiser for Gerald directly - do it for his family, they too are suffering. Just my opinion.

I have never heard about the allegations and I followed McClellan's career pretty closely, which isn't to say that I did not miss it, nut personally I think it's bullshit. I have not seen any kind of actual proof that would verify it other than what someone said to someone else, which everyone knows is more times than not wrong!

I love animals and no way would I condone any such behavior, but even if it was true, which again I doubt...I would say that McCLellan has been paid in full for his wrongs...and if anyone feels different, then I challenge you, instead of sitting behind a computer bitching about things, to go to one of your local rest homes and wait hand and foot on someone who is blind, cripple and brain damaged who are completely incapable of doing anything for themselves...do it 24 hours a day for only one week...then come back an tell me that anyone deserves that based on rumors...and remember, McClellan's family has been doing it for over ten years!

I can't believe what i'm reading here. Playground morality. Some people need to grow up.

I seen McClellan on tv not long ago...and I dun see how the man personally could really do a crime---as he is blind and all but deaf and still thinks in his mind he is the champion of the world.

If he hurt an animal I dun think he would even realise he did it. His sister takes care of him and everything---I would have to think these allegations are just that, allegations.

IrishRufusMurphy wrote:I seen McClellan on tv not long ago...and I dun see how the man personally could really do a crime---as he is blind and all but deaf and still thinks in his mind he is the champion of the world.

If he hurt an animal I dun think he would even realise he did it. His sister takes care of him and everything---I would have to think these allegations are just that, allegations.

It's not as simple as that Rufus. This allegedly happened before Gerald was injured. Some sick people take this as a cue to shit on him. In my mind, that makes a person no better than someone who WOULD feed a labrador to a pitbull.

I don't know if it's true. I'm totally against animal cruelty, but I feel that whether it's true or not, McClellan should be included in the fundraiser. I think that every single person has made a huge mistake at least once in life. If McClellan did make that horrible mistake, his family should not pay for it. The fundraiser I believe, is as much for his family as it is for him. An experience like that can be very humbling, and unfortunately, McClellan doesn't know what's going on, which is even more reason to help him and his family.

He should definitely be included. The allegations have been widespread for some trime and were talked about in some quarters during his career. BUT the poor man is in a terrible state. The man and his family need help and I'm not the one to judge who deserves it and who doesn't.

I'm rather neutral on this subject, what he did or did not do in this case has little to do with his current need. Who of us would want to be judged on our worst actions? As we live we learn, and hopefully improve. And he certainly has paid the price if indeed he did some less than great things earlier in his life.

Decagon wrote:There are thousands of boxers in dire conditions. Most of them aren't as famous as Gerald, or they've been forgotten.

Great point!

BoxBuzz wrote:I'm rather neutral on this subject, what he did or did not do in this case has little to do with his current need. Who of us would want to be judged on our worst actions? As we live we learn, and hopefully improve. And he certainly has paid the price if indeed he did some less than great things earlier in his life.

The voice of sanity.

I think what needs to done is find out whether the stories are true or not if so they are disgusting and McClellen is a horrible individual for doing it. But lets see if they are true. However what happened to him may be Karma or what goes around but even so it still terrible what happened to him and two wrongs don't make a right. I agree to some extent about watching people fight being alright and animal fighting being looked down on. However as pointed out animals do not have a choice. But how many times do see a fight in the street and watch? In alot of cases one person has no choice but to fight after being attacked.

Whats always bugged me on this website is whenever you mention McClellen it is taboo and he is seen as some untouchable saint. People even said I should be banned for bringing him up to highlight a certain situation in one of my posts. I have said on this website before McClellen from what I've seen and read was not a particlurly nice person. I certainly did not like him and was glad Benn bashed him up. Before the Benn fight he said some awful things, some being about killings Benn and putting him in a box. As for not being able to get care, thats terrible. However Benn offered financial help but McClellen family dismissed it and said things like they hope Benn gets killed in his next fight. When the money wasn't there they went back to Benn who told them where to go and I think to an extent righly so.

At the end of the day what happened to McClellen was terrible and saying it is ok because of what he done to animals is a 50/50 situation. If he was a rapist or paedophile then maybe so. I think its disgusting if what he done is true but I can't bring myself to say its good that he got brain injuries because of it. But some people on here need to stop treating him like some martyr, who was a saint and can never be spoken about and disliked because of the injuries he suffered. He boxed and knew the dangers.

I feel sorry for him but lets take a totally different situation. Michael Watson. Now there's a true hero!

Unfortunatly sometimes their are difficult desisions that their are no clear cut answers to. Whichever way you go I have a great deal of respect for your effort in taking the time out to help other poeple. Judging from your post and your humble attitude since you have been a member of this board I would say that the fundraiser is in good hands and I think you will make a well thought out choice. All the best of luck to you.

It's not as simple as that Rufus. This allegedly happened before Gerald was injured. Some sick people take this as a cue to shit on him. In my mind, that makes a person no better than someone who WOULD feed a labrador to a pitbull.

Irregardless if it happened before he was injured, why punish him? The man lives in his own world and is blind and deaf...why punish him more? He paid the price enough and will never be the same ever again.

IrishRufusMurphy wrote:
Irregardless if it happened before he was injured, why punish him? The man lives in his own world and is blind and deaf...why punish him more? He paid the price enough and will never be the same ever again.

Exactly - to even think about punishing him for some allegations floating about is beyond belief.

Obviously punishing an individual in his state would serve no purpose, but choosing not to donate money to him if that is the way a person feels I don't think is out of the question. A lot of individuals dont donate to good people.

he needs help.it does not matter that he may have been involved in this crime.
the bible says love one another as i have loved you for if you love one another then they will know you are my disciple.
i do agree that there are lots of boxers that do not carry the name recognition of mcclellan or page that need help also.so i thank god for organizations like f.i.s.t. people like gerry cooney who devote their time money and energy to the lesser known fighters who have fallen to the way side.

I do sympathise with any fighter who is suffering a brain injury because of boxing and that includes Gerald. From what I've read, he obviously was never charged with this dog fighting, however, a lot of criminals never face justice and I believe he was more than likely involved in it and that it is true. From knowing this, it's only natural that any decent person will lose a lot of respect and sympathy for him, maybe not totally, but then being asked to contribute cash to him, and it is to him by the way. The family thing doesn't hold up with me and this whole "puinishing" them for his sins also holds no 'water'.

Gerald more than likely inflicted terrible cruelty upon animals who had no choice, he had the choice and he chose pain for these animals and I don't believe it was a 'once off occurrence'...he more than likely perpetrated this repeatedly. That shows real nastiness and for that I don't see how any person would want anything to do with the guy. I'm not saying people should abuse him or cause him harm, just that I for one would find it difficult, believeing what I do, to engage with the guy.

I agree Walshb. I'm not going to condem him or praise him. What he done with animals if its true are are terrible. But at the same time what he has suffered is terrible. If you beleive in what goes around then he is certyainly suffering for what he done. But I just can't bring myself to condem a man who is in such a bad way. Two wrongs don't make a right and just have more time for people like Michael Watson.

The whole dogfighting thing is immaterial now surely.... the man is undoubtedly in severe need through injuries he suffered while taking part in a brutal fight, which was for the entertainment of many of the people who would now seemingly like to see him and his family starve because oif what he may have done with some dogs some 10+ years ago.... those on the moral highground against Gerald should perhaps consider why they enjoy watching a sport where men beat eachother into senselessness and sometimes death.....

Silkov, you are really sesationalising this. I for one do not want to see his family starve. They live in the USA, not Ethiopia. That's a bit extreme isn't it. As a previous poster said, a lot of people plain do not give to charity, no matter who the recipient. I would be close to that as I' fairly skeptical as regards charity. The guy is suffering terribly today, I pity him for that, I do not like to hear of it but at the same time I will not go out of my way to help him, who it seems has inflicted terrible cruelty upon another living animals, all for kicks. I'm sure there are many more worthy people ahead in the pecking order.

As regards him fighting to satisfy our thirst, ridiculous. He's a trained athlete who entered the sport because he loved the sport and he made good money from the sport. Are the fans to blame for his injuries???.

Oh and I certainly do not watch boxing to see damage and hurt and injury. Unfortunately it's part and parcel of the game, as is steeple chasing, motor racing, NFL....I support boxing because I think it is the most noble sport, most corageous, all rounded and skilled, tough and fair. Also because the fighters most of the time have so much respect for each other...15rds of battle and still smiles and hugs at the end of it.....

walshb wrote:Oh and I certainly do not watch boxing to see damage and hurt and injury. Unfortunately it's part and parcel of the game, as is steeple chasing, motor racing, NFL....I support boxing because I think it is the most noble sport, most corageous, all rounded and skilled, tough and fair. Also because the fighters most of the time have so much respect for each other...15rds of battle and still smiles and hugs at the end of it.....

You and the other bleeding hearts like you are the ones sensationalizing this... I doubt Gerald has touched a dog in 12 years yet you still bring up his treatment of dogs as a reason not to give the guy charity... shame on you... if you really think boxing is all about smiles and handshakes then you are very niave, do you turn away when fighters are cut and swollen?... or koed... I suppose it was fine for you to watch Gerald fight etc but after he got injured you can then turn around and say you don't want to know because he used to fight dogs.... did that stop you watching him fight though?.... did that stop you watching Roy Jones fight?......
also Gerald may not literally starve, but you should remember that he and his family will have to pay for all medical expenses unlike in Britain....
as I said earlier, shame on you!...

You are an absolute asrehole. If you read my message properly you would realise this. Not everyone who supports boxing and I'm assuming you do Silkov, wants to see guys getting hurt and injured. Is that too hard for you to fathom?. I love to see two finely tuned, consenting adults participating over 12 rds of boxing, each one giving it their all to win. Yes there is corruption, malice and some hatred, but the whole idea of boxing is to beat your opponent by force. That doesn't mean that a fan needs to see them suffer terrible injuries. Like in NFL, I do like to see a rough tough, physical and fair game, but I don't want to see guys getting carried off on fornicating stretchers. These sports are physically demanding, we love them, we support them and then we have arsewipes like you coming on with your bleeding heatrts theory because some of us disagree with giving charity, or disagree with giving charity to a guy who we mostly believe to have put animals through unbearable pain.

Maybe if you study more closely the posts you will realise that some people do not give to charity no matter who the recipient, and if I was asked to donate charity to Michael Watson or Gerald, knowing what I do, I would choose Watson. That does not make me a bleeding heart, I just chose a guy who has never been involved in a sinister activity, not to mention the despicable act of dog fighting, so shame on you Silkov for trying to twist and manipulate peoples views as regards this.

Gerald has paid what he has owed. Liston, Lyle, Tony Alaya etc has all done far worse things than McClelan. I read on a newspaper article that people had seen Gerald in Mexico near his training camp emptying his pockets and giving money to beggars on the street - Ill try and find this article.