Nigel Benn vs Chris Eubank II | 09 Oct 93 | |||||
Nigel Benn vs Chris Eubank | 18 Nov 90 | |||||
Nigel Gregory Benn (born 22 January 1964) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1987 to 1996. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBO middleweight title in 1990, and the WBC super-middleweight title from 1992 to 1996. Additionally he held the Commonwealth middleweight title from 1988 to 1989. Nicknamed "The Dark Destroyer" for his formidable punching power and aggressive fighting style, Benn is ranked by BoxRec as the fourth best British super-middleweight boxer of all time.
Early years and amateur career
Benn was born in Ilford, London, on 22 January 1964 to parents from Barbados, the sixth of seven brothers. He attended Loxford School of Science and Technology. Benn served for four and a half years in the British Army as an infantryman in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and was stationed in Germany for three years, then Northern Ireland during the Troubles for 18 months. Benn comes from a sporting family that includes a famous cousin in football, Paul Ince, who would often accompany Benn to the ring for his UK fights. Benn had a record of 41 wins and 1 loss as an amateur boxer, with the loss being against Rod Douglas, whom Benn later defeated.
Amateur accomplishments
Amateur boxing: 41 wins 1 loss
Undefeated Welterweight for the First Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers between 1982 and 1984 – won titles all the way up to heavyweight and trained others in his regiment's boxing team
1986 ABA Middleweight Champion, avenging a previous loss to Rod Douglas.
Professional career
Benn turned professional in 1987 and began a streak of consecutive knockout wins. This ensured a rapid rise through the professional ranks and during this time, Benn won the vacant Commonwealth middleweight title with a second round win over Abdul Umaru, at Alexandra Pavillion on April 20th 1988.
At 22-0 (22 KOs), Benn defended his Commonwealth title against Michael Watson in a heavily hyped bout in May 1989 at Finsbury Park, London. The fight even appeared on national television in the US. Throwing virtually nothing but hooks, Benn repeatedly failed to get through Watson's tight guard, and gradually tired whilst being stunned numerous times himself.
In the sixth round, Watson knocked Benn down with a jab and Benn was counted out as he rose to his feet, albeit by a somewhat hasty referee's count.
His next fight, against Jorge Amparo in Atlantic City, U.S., was his first fight abroad and also the first to last the full distance, with Benn winning a 10-round decision.
WBC World Champion 1996 Boxing Men | WBC World Champion 1995 Boxing Men | WBC World Champion 1994 Boxing Men | WBC World Champion 1993 Boxing Men |
WBC World Champion 1992 Boxing Men | WBO World Champion 1990 Boxing Men |