# Nigel Benn

Nigel Gregory Benn (born 22 January 1964) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1987 to 1996. A two-weight world champion, he held the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and reigned as the WBC super-middleweight champion from 1992 to 1996. At the regional level, he held the Commonwealth middle-weight title from 1988 to 1989. He defeated several world champions, including Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley, Thulani Malinga, Mauro Galvano, and Gerald McClellan.
Nicknamed 'The Dark Destroyer', Benn retired with an 83.3% knockout percentage. His notable fights include defending the world middleweight title against Iran Barkley in 1989, two world title contests against Chris Eubank in 1990 and 1993, and a world title fight against McClellan. He also successfully defended his world super-middleweight title in 1995. Before his ring walks, the chimes of Big Ben were often played.

## Early life and amateur career

Benn was born in Ilford, East London, on 22 January 1964. Aged 18, Benn joined the Royal Fusiliers and was stationed in West Germany for three years and in Northern Ireland for eighteen months. After leaving the army, Benn joined West Ham Amateur Boxing Club. Benn became the Amateur Boxing Association Middleweight Champion in 1986.

## Professional career

Benn began his professional career in 1987, achieving 22 consecutive knockout wins. During this time, Benn won the vacant Commonwealth middleweight title with a second-round win over Abdul Umaru at Alexandra Pavilion on 20 April 1988.
In May 1989, Benn (22-0, 22 KOs) lost his Commonwealth title to Michael Watson in a highly anticipated bout at Finsbury Park, London (Nigel Benn vs. Michael Watson). The fight appeared on national television in the US. In the sixth round, Watson knocked Benn down with a jab, and Benn was counted out as he got to his feet.
His next fight against Jorge Amparo in Atlantic City, U.S. was his first fight abroad and the first to go the full distance, with Benn winning by a 10-round decision.

### WBO middleweight champion

After two more wins against Sanderline Williams and Jose Quinones, Benn fought WBO middleweight title holder Doug DeWitt of the US in Atlantic City. Benn was knocked down in round two but recovered and knocked DeWitt down in round three, scoring three knockdowns in round eight to win the title.
His first defence was in August 1990 against former WBC champion Iran Barkley. Benn won via the three-knockdown rule at the end of the first round. Benn returned to the UK and met British rival Chris Eubank three months later. They fought in Birmingham on 18 November 1990, and Benn lost his title to Eubank in the ninth round when the referee stepped in and declared Eubank the winner by technical knockout.

### WBC super-middleweight champion

Beginning in 1991 with a seventh-round KO victory over Robbie Sims (Marvin Hagler's half-brother), Benn went on a six-fight winning streak, leading to another world title challenge. Other wins in this period include a decision win against Thulani Malinga, which was considered disputed, and a one-punch KO victory against Dan Sherry.
On 10 October 1992, Benn successfully challenged Mauro Galvano for the WBC super-middleweight title in Palaghiaccio de Marino, Marino, Lazio, Italy. As Galvano was unable to continue in the third due to a severe cut, Benn was declared the winner by technical decision.
Benn's move to the higher weight limit led him to refine his fight strategy and adopt a more considered approach. He defended his title against fellow Britons Nicky Piper and Lou Gent. He also secured a rematch victory over Mauro Galvano, before facing Chris Eubank—now WBO super-middleweight champion—in a unification bout on 9 October 1993. The bout ended in a draw, with both fighters retaining their respective titles. Benn defended his title twice in 1994 with unanimous decisions against Henry Wharton and Juan Carlos Giminez Ferreyra.

#### Benn vs McClellan

In February 1995, Benn successfully defended his 168 lb title against WBC middleweight champion Gerald McClellan in a highly anticipated bout billed as Sudden Impact. Going into the fight, McClellan had won his last 21 fights—the last 14 by knockout; with 13 of those knockouts in the first three rounds. Due to this record, many British media saw Benn as an underdog.
In Round 1, Benn was knocked through the ropes as McClellan dominated early. Benn was forced to endure the early rounds, battling to survive the brutal contest. From Rounds 4 to 6, Benn began to shift the momentum, as McClellan showed signs of distress, repeatedly losing his gumshield, backing off for extended periods, and blinking continuously. McClellan responded in Rounds 7 and 8, knocking Benn down again in the eighth round. However, McClellan, now visibly fatigued, could not capitalise on his advantage. Benn mounted a comeback and ultimately stopped McClellan by knockout in Round 10, with McClellan unable to rise from his knee. At the time of the stoppage, two judges had McClellan ahead, while the third scored the fight as even, although these scores did not account for the two knockdowns Benn delivered in the final round.
McClellan was severely injured as a result of the fight. After collapsing in his corner post-fight, McClellan was rushed to hospital where a blood clot was discovered on his brain. McClellan fell into a coma for two weeks. The injuries left him with significant impairments: he suffers from short-term memory problems, is almost blind, partially deaf, and uses a wheelchair. However, since 1995, McClellan has regained some of his hearing, having been 80% deaf and can now walk with a cane. In 2007, McClellan, his sister and his children attended a benefit dinner organised and hosted by Benn to help McClellan with his ongoing medical expenses.
After his fight with McClellan, Benn had two further successful title defences, with wins against future WBC title-holder Vincenzo Nardiello and American Danny Perez. Benn then lost his title to Malinga in 1996 in a fight that saw Benn knock Malinga down in the fifth round, but he also met the canvas in the twelfth. Benn lost the contest by a split decision (118-109, 115–111, 112–114).

#### Benn vs Collins I and II

In 1996, Benn attempted to take the WBO super-middleweight title twice from Steve Collins—who had taken that particular title from Eubank and beat him in a rematch. Benn failed in both attempts. In the first fight, he lost by TKO in Round 4 after sustaining an ankle injury. In the rematch four months later, Benn was retired by his corner at the end of Round 6 with Benn on his stool. Benn retired from professional boxing altogether shortly after the fight.

### Return from retirement

On 24 September 2019, Benn announced his intention to return to boxing at 55, after a 23-year absence from the ring. Benn explained that he wanted "closure" after the unsatisfactory end to his boxing career in 1996. He revealed plans for a bout against former WBC super-middleweight world champion Sakio Bika (34-7-3), scheduled for 23 November 2019. The British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction the fight, leading to its controversial sanctioning by the British and Irish Boxing Authority instead. However, the fight was subsequently called off after Benn suffered a shoulder injury in sparring. Benn, disappointed, reluctantly confirmed that he was abandoning his planned comeback.

## Life after boxing

Benn was inducted into the World Boxing Council (WBC) Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013 and was honoured alongside fellow Brit Joe Calzaghe as WBC middleweight champions. His image is now on the sixth-generation WBC super middleweight belt.
Benn works with at-risk youth in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia and is dedicated to his charity work. He is an ambassador to the New South Wales Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) and an advocate for healthy living. Benn is also a Patron of the Shannon Bradshaw Trust, a UK children's charity based in the North West of England, helping children with life-threatening conditions and their families.
Benn ran the 2013 City to Surf to raise funds for the most underfunded PCYC gym in Redfern, Sydney and has undertaken many fundraisers for the charity since improving the boxing facilities in the most impoverished areas of Sydney. Benn regularly assists Christian groups, counselling individuals with addiction and along with his wife Carolyne counsels couples who are facing marriage issues.
One of Benn's sons, Conor Benn, turned professional in 2016 and is currently fighting at welterweight. Another son, Harley, turned professional in 2017.
In 2024, Benn joined fellow London boxers – Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank – for a mini documentary, Four Kings. In the final episode, he revealed he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He was aware of his unresolved PTSD due to circumstances surrounding his older brother's death.
He attempted suicide in 1999 due to struggles with sex addiction, and the harm it was causing to his wife and children. He survived partly due to the hosepipe he used to recycle exhaust fumes back into his car repeatedly disconnecting. He considers his suicide attempt as a turning point in his life, becoming Christian shortly after and committing to remaining faithful to his wife.

## Professional boxing record

| 48 fights | 42 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 35 | 4 |
| By decision | 7 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 48 | Loss | 42–5–1 | Steve Collins | RTD | 6 (12), 3:00 | 9 Nov 1996 | NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England | For WBO super-middleweight title |
| 47 | Loss | 42–4–1 | Steve Collins | TKO | 4 (12), 2:44 | 6 Jul 1996 | NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England | For WBO super-middleweight title |
| 46 | Loss | 42–3–1 | Thulani Malinga | SD | 12 | 2 Mar 1996 | Telewest Arena, Newcastle, England | Lost WBC super-middleweight title |
| 45 | Win | 42–2–1 | Danny Perez | TKO | 7 (12), 2:33 | 2 Sep 1995 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | Retained WBC super-middleweight title "Danny Perez (Danny Ray Perez)". is not to be confused with Danny Perez Ramírez. |
| 44 | Win | 41–2–1 | Vincenzo Nardiello | TKO | 8 (12), 1:43 | 22 Jul 1995 | London Arena, London, England | Retained WBC super-middleweight title |
| 43 | Win | 40–2–1 | Gerald McClellan | KO | 10 (12), 1:46 | 25 Feb 1995 | London Arena, London, England | Retained WBC super-middleweight title |
| 42 | Win | 39–2–1 | Juan Carlos Giménez Ferreyra | UD | 12 | 10 Sep 1994 | National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England | Retained WBC super-middleweight title |
| 41 | Win | 38–2–1 | Henry Wharton | UD | 12 | 26 Feb 1994 | Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, England | Retained WBC super-middleweight title |
| 40 | Draw | 37–2–1 | Chris Eubank | SD | 12 | 9 Oct 1993 | Old Trafford, Manchester, England | Retained WBC super-middleweight title; For WBO super-middleweight title |
| 39 | Win | 37–2 | Lou Gent | TKO | 4 (12), 0:35 | 26 Jun 1993 | Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, England | Retained WBC super-middleweight title |
| 38 | Win | 36–2 | Mauro Galvano | UD | 12 | 6 Mar 1993 | Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, Scotland | Retained WBC super-middleweight title |
| 37 | Win | 35–2 | Nicky Piper | TKO | 11 (12), 1:44 | 12 Dec 1992 | Alexandra Pavilion, London, England | Retained WBC super-middleweight title |
| 36 | Win | 34–2 | Mauro Galvano | TKO | 4 (12) | 3 Oct 1992 | Palaghiaccio, Marino, Italy | Won WBC super-middleweight title |
| 35 | Win | 33–2 | Thulani Malinga | SD | 10 | 23 May 1992 | National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England | |
| 34 | Win | 32–2 | Dan Sherry | KO | 3 (10), 2:34 | 19 Feb 1992 | Alexandra Pavilion, London, England | |
| 33 | Win | 31–2 | Hector Abel Lescano | KO | 3 (10), 2:35 | 7 Dec 1991 | G-Mex Centre, Manchester, England | |
| 32 | Win | 30–2 | Lenzie Morgan | UD | 10 | 26 Oct 1991 | Leisure Centre, Brentwood, England | |
| 31 | Win | 29–2 | Kid Milo | TKO | 4 (10) | 3 Jul 1991 | International Centre, Brentwood, England | |
| 30 | Win | 28–2 | Robbie Sims | TKO | 7 (10) | 3 Apr 1991 | York Hall, London, England | |
| 29 | Loss | 27–2 | Chris Eubank | TKO | 9 (12), 2:56 | 18 Nov 1990 | National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England | Lost WBO middleweight title |
| 28 | Win | 27–1 | Iran Barkley | TKO | 1 (12), 2:57 | 18 Aug 1990 | Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US | Retained WBO middleweight title |
| 27 | Win | 26–1 | Doug DeWitt | TKO | 8 (12), 0:44 | 29 Apr 1990 | Caesar's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | Won WBO middleweight title |
| 26 | Win | 25–1 | Sanderline Williams | SD | 10 | 14 Jan 1990 | Caesar's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | |
| 25 | Win | 24–1 | Jose Quinones | TKO | 1 (10), 2:51 | 1 Dec 1989 | Hacienda Resort Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, US | |
| 24 | Win | 23–1 | Jorge Amparo | UD | 10 | 20 Oct 1989 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | |
| 23 | Loss | 22–1 | Michael Watson | TKO | 6 (12), 1:34 | 21 May 1989 | Majestic Ballroom, London, England | Lost Commonwealth middleweight title |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Mbayo Wa Mbayo | KO | 2 (10), 2:20 | 28 Mar 1989 | Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Michael Chilambe | KO | 1 (12), 1:07 | 8 Feb 1989 | Royal Albert Hall, London, England | Retained Commonwealth middleweight title |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | David Noel | TKO | 1 (12), 2:04 | 10 Dec 1988 | Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London, England | Retained Commonwealth middleweight title |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Anthony Logan | KO | 2 (12), 1:15 | 26 Oct 1988 | Royal Albert Hall, London, England | Retained Commonwealth middleweight title |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Tim Williams | TKO | 2 (10), 0:59 | 28 May 1988 | Royal Albert Hall, London, England | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Abdul Umaru Sanda | TKO | 2 (12) | 20 Apr 1988 | Alexandra Pavilion, London, England | Won vacant Commonwealth middleweight title |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Darren Hobson | KO | 1 (8), 1:49 | 13 Apr 1988 | Norwich Lads Boxing Club, Norwich, England | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Greg Taylor | TKO | 2 (8) | 24 Feb 1988 | Afan Lido F.C., Port Talbot, Wales | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Byron Prince | TKO | 2 (8) | 7 Feb 1988 | Bingley Hall, Stafford, England | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Fermin Chirino | KO | 2 (8) | 27 Jan 1988 | York Hall, London, England | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Reggie Miller | TKO | 7 (10), 1:08 | 2 Dec 1987 | Wembley Conference Centre, London, England | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Ian Chantler | KO | 1 (8), 0:16 | 24 Nov 1987 | The Hudson, Wisbech, England | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Ronnie Yoe | TKO | 1 (8) | 3 Nov 1987 | Crowtree Leisure Centre, Sunderland, England | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Russell Barker | TKO | 1 (6), 1:15 | 13 Oct 1987 | Blazers Nightclub, Windsor, England | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Winston Burnett | KO | 3 (6), 1:55 | 16 Sep 1987 | Royal Albert Hall, London, England | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Eddie Smith | KO | 2 (8), 1:08 | 8 Sep 1987 | Blazers Nightclub, Windsor, England | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Leon Morris | KO | 1 (6), 0:25 | 1 Jul 1987 | Royal Albert Hall, London, England | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Reginald Marks | TKO | 1 (6) | 7 Jun 1987 | Royal Albert Hall, London, England | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Winston Burnett | TKO | 4 (8) | 9 May 1987 | Latchmere Leisure Centre, London, England | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Rob Nieuwenhuizen | TKO | 1 (6), 2:03 | 22 Apr 1987 | Royal Albert Hall, London, England | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Kevin Roper | TKO | 1 (6) | 4 Mar 1987 | Festival Hall Super Tent, Basildon, England | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Graeme Ahmed | TKO | 2 (8), 1:10 | 28 Jan 1987 | Fairfield Halls, London, England | |