Nigel Benn

Nigel Benn
Born
Nigel Gregory Benn

(1964-01-22) 22 January 1964 (age 60)
Other namesThe Dark Destroyer
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 9+12 in (177 cm)[1]
Reach73 in (185 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights48
Wins42
Wins by KO35
Losses5
Draws1

Nigel Gregory Benn (born 22 January 1964) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1987 to 1996. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and the WBC super-middleweight title from 1992 to 1996. He is considered one of the best Super Middleweights of all time.[2][3] At the regional level, he held the Commonwealth middleweight title from 1988 to 1989. He scored notable wins over Champions Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley, Thulani Malinga, Mauro Galvano and Gerald McClellan.

Nicknamed "The Dark Destroyer" for his formidable punching power, Benn retired with a 83.3% knockout ratio.[4] His best-known fights include the successful world middleweight title defense against Iran Barkley in 1989; the two all-British world title contests against Chris Eubank in 1990 and 1993 (Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank), and the successful—but tragic—defence of his world super-middleweight title against Gerald McClellan in 1995 (Nigel Benn vs. Gerald McClellan). In the build to his ring walks, Big Ben would often chime before he made his entrance to music.[5]

  1. ^ a b ITV Sports tale of the tape prior to the Chris Eubank rematch.
  2. ^ Levinson, Scott (12 January 2012). "Top 10 Best Super Middleweights of All-Time". ProBoxing-Fans.com. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  3. ^ "WBC remember some of the world's best super middleweights in history ahead of Canelo vs Ryder". www.britishboxingnews.co.uk. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  4. ^ "BoxRec: Nigel Benn".
  5. ^ "VOTE: Your favourite ring walk of the Year from the five we've picked he was my grandads sparin partner in the army his name is Phillip hughes". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 October 2022.