Nigel Benn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nigel Benn
Statistics
Real name	Nigel Gregory Benn
Nickname(s)	The Dark Destroyer
Rated at	Middleweight Super-middleweight
Height	5 ft 9+1/2 in
Reach	73 in
Born	(1964-01-22) 22 January 1964 (age 61) Ilford, Essex, England
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	48
Wins	42
Wins by KO	35
Losses	5
Draws	1

Nigel Gregory Benn (born 22 January 1964) is a famous former British professional boxer. He competed from 1987 to 1996. Nigel Benn was a two-weight world champion. He held the WBO middleweight title in 1990. He was also the WBC super-middleweight champion from 1992 to 1996. People often called him "The Dark Destroyer."

Benn also held the Commonwealth middleweight title. This was from 1988 to 1989. He beat many world champions during his career. These included Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley, and Gerald McClellan. Nigel Benn was known for his powerful punches. He won 83.3% of his fights by knockout. His most famous fights were against Chris Eubank and Gerald McClellan. Before his fights, the sounds of Big Ben were often played.

Early Life and Boxing Start

Nigel Benn was born in Ilford, Essex, England. This was on January 22, 1964. When he was 18, Benn joined the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. He served in West Germany for three years. Later, he spent 18 months in Northern Ireland.

After leaving the army, Benn joined the West Ham Amateur Boxing Club. He became a top amateur boxer. In 1986, he won the Amateur Boxing Association Middleweight Championship.

Nigel Benn's Professional Boxing Career

Nigel Benn started his professional boxing journey in 1987. He won his first 22 fights by knockout. This was a very impressive start. In 1988, he won the Commonwealth middleweight title. He beat Abdul Umaru in the second round.

In May 1989, Benn faced Michael Watson in London. Watson knocked Benn down in the sixth round. Benn lost his Commonwealth title in this fight. After this, Benn fought Jorge Amparo in the U.S. This was his first fight outside the UK. He won by a decision after 10 rounds.

Becoming a World Champion

After more wins, Benn challenged Doug DeWitt for the WBO middleweight title. This fight took place in Atlantic City. Benn was knocked down early in the fight. But he recovered and knocked DeWitt down three times. Benn won the title in the eighth round.

His first title defense was against former WBC champion Iran Barkley. Benn won this fight in the first round. He then returned to the UK to fight his rival, Chris Eubank. They fought in Birmingham in November 1990. Benn lost his WBO title to Eubank in the ninth round. The referee stopped the fight.

Winning Another World Title

In 1991, Nigel Benn started a new winning streak. He won six fights in a row. One notable win was against Robbie Sims. This led him to another chance at a world title. He also beat Thulani Malinga and Dan Sherry.

On October 10, 1992, Benn fought Mauro Galvano in Italy. He challenged Galvano for the WBC super-middleweight title. Galvano had a bad cut and could not continue. Benn won the fight and became the new WBC champion.

Benn changed his fighting style in this higher weight class. He became more careful and strategic. He successfully defended his title three times. He beat Nicky Piper and Lou Gent. He also won a rematch against Galvano.

In October 1993, Benn faced Chris Eubank again. Eubank was then the WBO super-middleweight champion. This fight was to unite their titles. The fight ended in a draw. Both boxers kept their titles. Benn defended his WBC title twice more in 1994. He beat Henry Wharton and Juan Carlos Giminez Ferreyra.

The Fight Against Gerald McClellan

In February 1995, Nigel Benn defended his WBC super-middleweight title. He fought Gerald McClellan. This was a very important fight. McClellan had won many fights by knockout. Many people thought Benn would lose.

In the first round, Benn was knocked out of the ring. McClellan started strong. But Benn fought back in the middle rounds. McClellan seemed tired. Benn knocked McClellan down twice in the tenth round. Benn won the fight by knockout.

Sadly, McClellan was seriously injured in the fight. He collapsed after the fight and went to the hospital. Doctors found a blood clot in his brain. McClellan was in a coma for two weeks. The injuries caused him to have memory problems. He also became almost blind and partially deaf. He uses a wheelchair. However, McClellan has worked hard to recover. He can now hear better and walk with a cane. In 2007, Nigel Benn helped organize a dinner to raise money for McClellan's medical care.

After the McClellan fight, Benn defended his title two more times. He beat Vincenzo Nardiello and Danny Perez. In 1996, Benn lost his WBC title to Thulani Malinga.

Final Fights and Retirement

In 1996, Benn tried to win the WBO super-middleweight title. He fought Steve Collins twice. Collins had taken the title from Eubank. Benn lost both fights. In the first fight, he had an ankle injury. In the second, his corner stopped the fight. After these two losses, Nigel Benn retired from professional boxing.

Return to the Ring (Briefly)

In September 2019, Benn announced he would return to boxing. He was 55 years old. He wanted to have a final fight to feel good about his career ending. He planned to fight Sakio Bika. However, the British Boxing Board of Control did not approve the fight. Another group, the British and Irish Boxing Authority, did. But the fight was called off. Benn got a shoulder injury while training. He then decided to stop his comeback plans.

Life After Boxing

After retiring from boxing, Nigel Benn faced some personal challenges. He found strength in his Christian faith. He committed to his wife and family.

Today, Benn works with young people in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia. He does a lot of charity work. He is an ambassador for the New South Wales Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC). He helps promote healthy living. He is also a Patron for the Shannon Bradshaw Trust. This UK charity helps children with serious health conditions.

In 2013, Nigel Benn was added to the World Boxing Council (WBC) Boxing Hall of Fame. His image is now on the WBC super middleweight belt. He ran the 2013 City to Surf race. He raised money for a PCYC gym in Redfern, Sydney. He helps Christian groups. He also counsels people with challenges and helps couples with their relationships.

Two of Nigel Benn's sons are also professional boxers. His son, Conor Benn, became a professional boxer in 2016. He fights at welterweight. Another son, Harley, started boxing professionally in 2017.

In 2024, Benn joined other famous London boxers. These included Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis, and Chris Eubank. They made a mini-documentary called Four Kings. In the film, Benn shared that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He also spoke about dealing with unresolved issues from his older brother's death.

Professional Boxing Record