Nigel Benn defended his WBC world super middleweight title against Gerald McClellan

Date: February 25, 1995

Venue: London Arena, London

Benn stance: orthodox

McClellan stance: orthodox

Nigel Benn won the WBO middleweight title when he stopped Doug DeWitt in the eighth round of their fight in 1990. He lost his title in his second defence when he was stopped in the ninth round by Chris Eubank. After six consecutive wins, Benn travelled to Italy and beat Mauro Galvano in the fourth round and took his WBC super middleweight crown. Benn won a rematch with Galvano, and drew in a rematch with Eubank, who was the WBO champion. Benn had made six defences of his WBC title, but four of them had gone the distance, which suggested Benn's punching power was slightly diminished at the heavier weight.

Gerald McClelllan turned pro in 1988, and despite a couple of early losses quickly established himself as a hard punching contender. McClellan won the vacant WBO middleweight title in 1991 when he stopped John Mugabi in the first round. He never defended that belt, but in 1993, McClellan won the WBC middleweight title when he stopped Julian Jackson in the fifth round. He defended his crown three times, the most recent of which was a first round knockout in a rematch with Jackson. McClellan moved up to super middleweight to challenge Benn in what was one of the most destructive fights in boxing history.

For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:

Nigel Benn - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/739

Gerald McClellan - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/4252