Gerald McClellan

Gerald McClellan (born October 23, 1967) is a retired American boxer who fought as a middleweight for most of his career. McClellan's record as a professional boxer was 31 wins and 3 losses, with 29 wins by knockout, and he is a two-time world champion having won the WBC and WBA championships. He is rated #27 on The Ring magazine's list of "100 Greatest Punchers Of All-Time".^[1]

McClellan was forced to retire from boxing after a severe brain injury suffered during his final fight, a loss to world super-middleweight champion Nigel Benn.

Professional career

Middleweight

McClellan turned professional in 1988. Trained by hall of fame trainer Emanuel Steward, he captured the vacant WBO middleweight title by knocking out John Mugabi in one round in 1991, and the WBC middleweight title by knocking out Julian Jackson in five rounds in May 1993. He defended the WBC title three times, all first round stoppages, including a rematch with Jackson.

Benn vs McClellan

McClellan moved up in weight to challenge WBC super-middleweight champion Nigel Benn in London on February 25, 1995. The fight was watched by an estimated 17 million people on television and 10,300 paying spectators.^[2]

In a savage bout, McClellan knocked Benn out of the ring in round one and scored another knockdown in round eight, but each time Benn was able to work his way back into the fight and kept landing hard power punches to the challenger. Referee Alfred Azaro was also roundly criticized for his officiating mistakes, which included impeding the challenger's progress when McClellan was trying to finish off the champion. McClellan took such a beating that he eventually slumped to one knee in round ten.^[3] He took the mandatory eight count, resumed boxing, but soon dropped to his knee for a second time and Alzaro counted him out. He returned to his corner, where he suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

Aftermath

McClellan had emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. He spent eleven days in a coma and he was found to have suffered extensive brain damage. He lost his eyesight, the ability to walk unassisted and became 80 percent deaf. Sports Illustrated ran an article about the fight and its outcome one week after the fight. McClellan's family flew to be by his side, and later he was flown back to his home country. He has recently recovered some ability to walk, being helped by a cane, but he has not recovered his eyesight. In addition to being blind and almost deaf, his short-term memory was also profoundly affected. His three sisters, particularly Lisa McClellan, are responsible for his care.

Fundraising

McClellan has been the honoree at numerous banquets and award ceremonies, and fellow boxing world champion Roy Jones Jr., often pointed out as a rival middleweight champion during 1993-94 (indeed, McClellan actually beat Jones as an amateur), set up a foundation to help McClellan.

Nigel Benn himself has also helped to raise funds for McClellan's treatment, and the two men would meet again for the first time since their bout at a fundraiser held in London on February 24, 2007. Several items were auctioned off at the event and a total of £200,000 was raised.^[4] In December 2011, McClellan's family announced they were putting McClellan's world title belts up for auction to pay for his continuing round-the-clock care, adapt his house for his changing medical needs and avoid having to place him in a nursing home. Told by his sister Lisa about what she needed to do to maintain his quality of life and keep him at home, McClellan, who remains 80% deaf, was surprisingly able to hear and understand his sister and gave his approval. Gerald told his sister, "Sister, just do what you've gotta do."^[5]

In May 2012, the World Boxing Council publicly appealed for donations to a trust fund set up in McClellan's name in order to help his sisters maintain his 24-hour care.^[6] In July 2012, McClellan took a turn for the worse, and underwent surgery to remove his colon.^[7] Former world light middleweight champion Terry Norris, whose Final Fight Foundation acts to protect boxers, made an appeal for the Gerald McClellan Trust, noting, "McClellan's organs are starting to shut down because of his brain injury."^[8] Ring 10, a nonprofit organization that helps impoverished former fighters, provides McClellan with a monthly food credit and raises funds to assist in payment of other necessities.^[9]

Dog fighting controversy

According to an article in the Observer, McClellan participated in dog fights.^[10][11] McClellan's trainer and family admitted that McClellan was involved with fighting pitbulls, and on one occasion had used tape to bind the jaws of a Labrador shut before allowing his pet pitbull "Deuce" to kill it.^[12]

Professional boxing record

31 Wins (29 KOs), 3 Losses (1 KO)[13]
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, Time	Date	Location	Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	31–3	Nigel Benn	KO	10 (12), 1:46	1995–02–25	New London Arena, London, Greater London	For WBC super-middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	31–2	Julian Jackson	KO	1 (12), 1:23	1994–05–07	MGM Grand Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada	Retained WBC middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	30–2	Gilbert Baptist	TKO	1 (12), 1:37	1994–03–04	MGM Grand Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada	Retained WBC middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	29–2	Jay Bell	KO	1 (12), 0:20	1993–08–06	Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamón	Retained WBC middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	28–2	Julian Jackson	TKO	5 (12), 2:09	1993–05–08	Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won WBC middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	27–2	Tyrone Moore	TKO	2 (10), ?	1993–02–20	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	26–2	Steve Harvey	TKO	1 (8), 1:51	1992–11–07	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	25–2	Carl Sullivan	TKO	1 (10), 0:45	1992–05–15	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	24–2	Lester Yarbrough	TKO	1 (10), 2:02	1992–02–24	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	23–2	John Mugabi	TKO	1 (12), 2:51	1991–11–20	Royal Albert Hall, London, Greater London	Won vacant WBO middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	22–2	Sammy Brooks	TKO	1 (8), 2:07	1991–08–13	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	21–2	Ivory Teague	TKO	3 (10), ?	1991–07–27	Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, Virginia
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	20–2	Ken Hulsey	KO	1 (10), ?	1991–03–01	Pioneer Hall, Duluth, Minnesota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	19–2	Danny Mitchell	KO	1 (10), 2:37	1990–12–15	Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	18–2	José Carlos da Silva	TKO	3 (8), ?	1990–11–14	Phoenix, Arizona
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	17–2	Charles Hollis	PTS	8	1990–09–14	Beloit, Wisconsin
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	16–2	Sanderline Williams	PTS	8	1990–08–21	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	15–2	James Fernandez	TKO	2 (8), ?	1990–06–12	Metairie, Louisiana
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	14–2	Brinatty Maquilon	TKO	3 (8), 1:42	1990–04–26	Resorts International Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	13–2	Ron Martin	TKO	1 (8), ?	1990–03–10	Bristol, Tennessee
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	12–2	James Williamson	KO	1 (8), 1:55	1990–01–20	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	11–2	Rick Caldwell	KO	1 (8), ?	1989–12–14	Saginaw Civic Center, Saginaw, Michigan
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	10–2	Ralph Ward	UD	8	1989–09–21	Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	10–1	Dennis Milton	PTS	6	1989–06–24	Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	10–0	Terrence Wright	TKO	1 (8), 2:00	1989–04–14	Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	9–0	Tyrone McKnight	TKO	2 (8), ?	1989–02–19	Monessen High Gym, Monessen, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	8–0	Anthony Jackson	KO	1 (6), ?	1989–02–10	Cedar Creek Ice & Expo Center, Wausau, Wisconsin
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	7–0	Joe Goodman	KO	2 (6), ?	1989–02–04	Biloxi, Mississippi
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	6–0	Jerome Kelly	TKO	1 (6), 1:52	1988–12–03	Brook Park, Ohio
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	5–0	John Gordon	TKO	2 (6), 1:45	1988–11–25	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	4–0	Roberto Abondo	TKO	1 (4), 0:36	1988–11–22	Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	3–0	Danny Lowry	TKO	1 (6), 2:00	1988–11–03	Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	2–0	Bill Davis	TKO	1 (4), ?	1988–09–15	La Fontaine Bleue, Glen Burnie, Maryland
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	1–0	Roy Hundley	KO	1 (4), ?	1988–08–12	Eagles Club, Milwaukee, Wisconsin	Professional debut.

References

External links

• The Gerald McClellan Trust