BoxRec

I'm sure we all remember it, at the time I was a young 21 year old on leave from the Army. Not a big boxing fan at the time, but did watch all the BIG fights.

I can remember the actual fight clearly, (also got it on a DVD set of Benns best fights, so I watch it quite regulary)
BUT what about the run-up to the fight.
What was the hype like at the time ?

Was it built up like Hattons fight with Mayweather is today?

Was there real bad blood between the two fighters?

And why didn't Benn get the fight with RJJ after his win?

I was reading a post on here a few weeks back and someone mentioned "War, baby" by Kevin Mitchell. I bought it and I thought it was an excellent read, and opened my eyes to alot of things surrounding the fight and Geralds earlier career. I also looked at McClellans official website, and couldn't believe the piece on there by Jake Donavon http://www.geraldmcclellan.com/wherearetheynow.html about the "..headbutt that caused the bloodclot" I've watched the fight hundreds of times and I dont think that Benns head actually connected with McClellan, maybe his dreadlocks did but thats all IMO.

And another thing, did Gerald McClellan actually attend the benifit night held for him in London by Benn a while back ?

Sorry about all the questions , but as I've gotten older and more into my boxing, I'd like to know more about this particular fight !!

I don't think there was bad blood between the 2 boxers, just the usual hype, McClellan was never a 'nice guy' boxer anyway, so i just think he didn't like any boxer he fought.
Benn was more agreived with the fact that McClellan was getting the big build-up, i think he took it that the promoters saw it as a foregone conclusion that McClellan would win.
He said this in the post fight interview.

As for RJJ, Benn said he knew he wouldn't beat the guy.

And McClellan was at the recent benefit night for him in London, but only briefly as he was overcome when introduced.

Old bones Ian wrote:I don't think there was bad blood between the 2 boxers, just the usual hype, McClellan was never a 'nice guy' boxer anyway, so i just think he didn't like any boxer he fought.
Benn was more agreived with the fact that McClellan was getting the big build-up, i think he took it that the promoters saw it as a foregone conclusion that McClellan would win.
He said this in the post fight interview.

As for RJJ, Benn said he knew he wouldn't beat the guy.

And McClellan was at the recent benefit night for him in London, but only briefly as he was overcome when introduced.

When did he say that ?

Must've been when he retired was it ? As he was a fighter full of confidence when he was active.

The Fleet Street mob were hyping up McClellan like he was the Second Coming of Jesus Christ Superstar. It made the 'man in the street' (ie diehard Benn fan) sick, and made Nigel sicker. Gerald was on TV news bulletins the week leading up to the fight with his pitbulls and stuff. This backfired because the public got behind Nige to do him. The Fleet Street mob were desperate to see Nigel lose because that's who they are - disturbed individuals who downplay everything British.

Even being interviewed, Nigel was talked to like he was going to be lamb to the slaughter. He was asked 'what do you think about McClellan being the hardest pound-for-pound puncher in the world, eh? What do you think about that, eh, Nigel?' and he said "I've had more knockouts than he's had fights!".

Everyone wrote off Benn because he'd looked lacklustre in recent fights, and McClellan's world middleweight title defence one-round KO's had all been on ITV.

It got Benn going and he brought back the old Dark Destroyer for the bloke in the street and did the country, Fleet Street aside, proud as fcuk.

It was after he retired, as you say Benn was always up for RJJ when active.

Couple of interesting quotes here by RJJ pre Benn v McClellan, and also talking about Eubank. Who by the sounds of it RJJ had alot of respect for .

Q: "You think he'll beat Nigel Benn in London?"

RJJ: "Yeah, I think McClellan beats Benn. But, maybe, just maybe, its gonna be tighter than some people expect. Nigel's a real warrior, he can still bang abit-and I think McClellans jaw is kind of suspect when he gets tagged..."

later when asked about Eubank.

Q: "People say your unorthodox, but Eubank probably has the most unorthodox style out there doesn't he?"

RJJ: "I know before the fight how to beat Gerald McClellan, but i wont know how to beat Chris Eubank until during the fight! Ive already worked out how to beat McClellan, but with Chris Eubank i think id have to work it out during the fight. He says id bring the best out of him and thats a scarey thought, because he usually fights about 50% of what he can do, he holds back so much because as long as his pay cheques keep coming in thats all he cares for really. What's even scarier though is he'd bring the best out of me, like Gerald McClellan would. Eubank's the big pay day but also the guy i might have a problem with, he does hate the game but the thing is the guys got alot of pride. i still dont know if he'd take the fight because he wants to retire undefeated and get one up on boxing. If he fought me, he knows he wont be retiring with his wealth and health intact, cos even if he remained undefeated his health wouldn't be intact."

I can tell those quotes are fake.

STP wrote:I can tell those quotes are fake.

Think their in Boxing Monthly - well I read something similar. I thought they were a little odd cause Eubank had lost to Collins.

I can't recall there being much TV or press hype for this one, a bit in the papers in the week leading up, with pretty much everyone predicting a short and violent end to the Dark Destroyer.

Have to say, that's what I was expecting as well. You'd have to have been pretty optimistic to think Nigel was going to survive against the Gman, though Benn was telling everyone he'd had more KO's than the other guy had fights. Which was a good point, looking back.

But this was a fight I was looking forward to as much as any for a long time, and for any real fight fans it was the same: you just knew it was going to be a sudden, spectacular and violent encounter, along the lines of a Hagler/Hearns type war.

The tension leading up to the fight was unbelievable...and I was praying for Nigel to put up a good show at least - just don't get caught early, I was thinking.

And the GMan was one of the most intimidating figures in boxing, right up there with Tyson in terms of menace. Not only did he have TNT in either hand, this was a guy who'd taken the hardest punches Julian Jackson had thrown - Jackson, the hardest P4P puncher on the planet - and come back to ice him twice.

I just couldn't see how Benn could win this. I still can't believe it now.

I agree with you Mighty Warrior. I couldn't see Benn going past 3 rounds in this one.

I can't remember a big build up by the press but I was well-excited about it. In Nigel's pre-fight interviews he had the demeanour of somebody that just wasn't going to allow himself to lose, kind of like Holyfield pre-Tyson 1.

Sometimes sportspeople get that sense around them, that they just will not be denied. It's more than confidence and is hard to explain but is something deep that you just can't turn on and off and happens once or twice in a career at most. I guess Ali-Foreman and Foreman-Moorer are further examples.

What was going on with Ben nand allegedly at the time? Did Benn have a go at him in his post fight interview in the ring? i thought he had a pop along the lines of Frank brought him over here to beat me up' etc.

Didn't Jones get a bit spooked byt this fight? I'm sure I read about him becoming much more cautious when selecting opponents.

Yes Jones knew GM from the amateur days, and seemed a bit haunted by what happened. He apparently helped out Gerald with financial aid in the aftermath as well.

And Benn had a go at Warren as he was of the opinion that FW was expecting the American to win, and brought him over with that in mind. Though I think it was probably a mandatory. I doubt Frank was too confident about a Benn win though.

Was it after this fight that Warren had his falling out with Don King?

Jones has helped Gerald but am I right in thinking he has never been to visit him? I think this fight definitely had an effect on the way Jones picked his opponents and the way he fought.

Which is why i'm really surprised he is still fighting, Lewis took shots in the Klitschko fight he knew he wouldn't have taken in his prime and decided that was the time to get out, I thought Jones Jnr would do the same

I suppose if the fight were happening these days, with wall to wall sports coverage on the Tv (Sky was in its infancy at the time if I remember correctly) and the internet. It would be hyped up to the nines and it definately wouldnt have kicked off at 10pm or whatever it was. It would've been a 2/3am start for US viewers :x

McClellan beat Jones in their amatuer days and they did become close (according to Kevin Mitchell)

Old bones Ian wrote:Was it after this fight that Warren had his falling out with Don King?

I believe it was, didn't him and Don King end up in court over options on Prince Naz. Didn't Warren have to pay Don $7,000,000.

McClellan was the most feared fighter in boxing before the Benn fight - he was destroying everyone, and had taken the best punches of Julian Jackson. There seemed to be no chance for Benn, and the best he would do would be to hang tough and give McClellan a war for 3-5 rounds.
I dont think there was genuine animosity before the fight, Benn was cheesed off about the big build up McClellan was getting.
I believe Benn won because of his extra experience; he was quite clever in the fight and avoided some of the worst punishment (although he still took a hell of a lot). McClellan believed his own hype and thought he only needed to turn up to win. His defence was non-existent, and he took a lot of full blooded bombs, leading to the terrible injuries he sustained during the fight.
A great result for Benn, but rightly overshadowed by the aftermath. Benn has rightly been elevated to a British boxing legend after this and his other fights

Benn was seen as past it and basically lucky to be still a belt holder.

McClellan was seen as the real deal..a wrecking machine...similar as to how Lacy was portrayed before the calzaghe fight

I haven`t watched the fight for many a year...but what I remember most is how Benn said after (before the extent of McClellans collapse was fully realized) the fight in the interview "he only came over here to ruff me up.."

Benn as we all thought was merely the opponent.

Lots of stupid things have been claimed as to who or why the damage occured...truth is the most obvious...he took too many head shots too many times...sad but true :(

McClellan was seen as the real deal..a wrecking machine...similar as to how Lacy was portrayed before the calzaghe fight

McClellan was seen as a wrecking machine ... but he had substance at top level, which Lacy didn't. But yes as you say the hype was comparable.

I remember at the time, when I was still touching base in the game, that a lot of people were fearing for Benn's health prior to this fight. How tragically ironic those fears were and the outcome proved them to be!

dopey wrote:

Old bones Ian wrote:Was it after this fight that Warren had his falling out with Don King?

I believe it was, didn't him and Don King end up in court over options on Prince Naz. Didn't Warren have to pay Don $7,000,000.

I thought it was around the time of Naz US debut - wasn't that the source of the problem - in association with who would Naz vs Kelley be.

I don't remember there being much hype, if anything it was put together at fairly short notice for a title fight. Certainly there was not the build up that Hatton and PBF have had.

There was no great calling for the fight as they were in different divisions and there were plenty of fights out there.

It was seen as a foregone conclusion for the Yank so there was not even the anticipation for it.

Instead we were treated to the greatest fight I can remember in a British ring, and Benn claimed one of our finest victories

I'm sure if it wasn't for the tradgedy it would be shown over and over again on the telly