Nigel Benn
Titles: WBO middleweight champion 1990, WBC super middleweight champion
1992-1996
Record: 42-5-1
Born: January 22, 1964 in Ilford, England
Years active: 1987-1996
Nickname: The Dark Destroyer
There was no more exciting fighter in England from 1987 to 1996 than Nigel
Benn. Benn had courage to spare and the kind of punch that could pull out a
win at any stage of a fight. He also suffered from the same disease many
other knockout punchers had, the lack of a strong chin and defensive holes
left by his all out offensive style. Benn had good but not great boxing
skills which were enhanced with his self confidence, power and superb
fitness. Benn won his first 22 fights by knockout before he was himself
knocked out by smooth boxing Michael Watson whose defense frustrated Benn
into making mistakes. The former British Army soldier then decided to move
his base of operations to America and after 3 victories got a WBO title
shot against Doug DeWitt. In this fight we first saw the courage that was
to win him more titles as he got off the canvas to floor DeWitt 4 times and
stop him in the 8th round. His first title defense saw Benn as a underdog
but he proved everyone wrong by knocking Iran Barkley down 3 times in the
first round for the stoppage win. Benn would now fight and loose to his
nemesis Chris Eubank in a fight that has to be considered one of the best
of the 90's. The battle lasted 9 frightening rounds before the referee
stepped in to halt it in favor Eubank. Benn again proved he was far from
finished by knocking out Mauro Galvano in Italy for the WBC super middle
weight title and winning a 12 round decision in a rematch. A rematch with
Chris Eubank did not live up to expectations and ended in a 12 round draw
though many think Benn should have been given the nod. Benn's career
defining bout would be marred in tragedy as he overcame being knocked thru
the ropes and hurt on several other occasions to stop the fierce hitting
McClellan in the 10th round. This bout is one for the ages! It also took a
lot out of Benn and mark the high point of his career. His focus after this
fight was lost and would loose to awkward Thulani Malinga then retired and
unretire in the coming years. At the end of his career he lost 2 more title
shots to Steve Collins but the previous wars had taken their toll and these
2 fights should not detract form a outstanding career.
Nigel Benn
Career record: 42 W, 5 L, 1 D (35 K.O's)
1987
28 Jan Graeme Ahmed England KO 2
3 Apr Kevin Roper England KO 1
22 Apr Bob Njeuwenhui England KO 1
9 May Winston Burnett England KO 4
7 Jun Reginald Marks England KO 1
1 Jul Leon Morris England KO 1
9 Aug Eddie Smith England KO 1
16 Sep Winston Burnett England KO 3
13 Oct Russell Barker England KO 1
3 Nov Ronnie Yeo England KO 1
24 Nov Ian Chantler England KO 1
2 Dec Reggie Miller England KO 7
1988
27 Jan Fermin Chirino England KO 2
7 Feb Byron Prince England KO 2
24 Feb Greg Taylor Wales KO 2
14 Mar Darren Hobsen England KO 1
20 Apr Abdul Sanda England KO 2
28 May Tim Williams England KO 2
26 Oct Anthony Logan England KO 2
10 Dec David Noel England KO 1
1989
8 Feb Michael Chilambe England KO 1
28 Mar Mbayo Wa Mbayo Scotland KO 2
21 May Michael Watson England KO by 6
20 Oct Jorge Amparo NJ W 10
1 Dec Jose Quinones NV KO 1
1990
14 Jan Sanderline Williams NJ W 10
29 Apr Doug DeWitt NJ KO 8
(Won WBO Middleweight Title)
18 Aug Iran Barkley NV KO 1
(Retained WBO Middleweight Title)
18 Nov Chris Eubank England KO by 9
(Lost WBO Middleweight Title)
1991
3 Apr Robbie Sims England KO 7
3 Jul Kid Milo England KO 4
26 Oct Lenzie Morgan England W 10
7 Dec Hector Lescano England KO 3
1992
19 Feb Dan Sherry England KO 3
23 May Thulane Malinga England W 10
3 Oct Mauro Galvano Italy KO 4
(Won WBC Super Middleweight Title)
12 Dec Nicky Piper England KO 11
(Retained WBC Super Middleweight Title)
1993
6 Mar Mauro Galvano Scotland W 12
(Retained WBC Super Middleweight Title)
26 Jun Lou Gent England KO 4
(Retained WBC Super Middleweight Title)
9 Oct Chris Eubank England D 12
(For WBO Super Middleweight Title, Retained WBC Super Middleweight Title)
1994
26 Feb Henry Wharton England W 12
(Retained WBC Super Middleweight Title)
10 Sep Juan Gimenez England W 12
(Retained WBC Super Middleweight Title)
1995
25 Feb Gerald McClellan England KO 10
(Retained WBC Super Middleweight Title)
22 Jul Vincenzo Nardiello England KO 8
(Retained WBC Super Middleweight Title)
2 Sep Danny Perez England KO 7
(Retained WBC Super Middleweight Title)
1996
2 Mar Thulane Malinga London L 12
(Lost WBC Super Middleweight Title)
6 Jul Steve Collins Manchester, England KO by 4
(For WBO Super Middleweight Title)
9 Nov Steve Collins Manchester, England KO by 6
(For WBO Super Middleweight Title)