Gerald McClellan
Born	Gerald McClellan October 23, 1967 Freeport, Illinois
Died	-
Nationality
Other names	The G-Man
Statistics
Weight(s)	Middleweight
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	34
Wins	31
Wins by KO	29
Losses	3
Draws	0
No contests	0

Gerald McClellan (born October 23, 1967 in Freeport, Illinois) is a former boxer from the United States of America, who was world Middleweight champion. Trained by hall of fame trainer Emanuel Steward, he captured the WBO world Middleweight championship knocking out John Mugabi in one round in 1991, and the WBC's version by knocking out Julian Jackson in five rounds in 1993.

Career

Ominous signs for his later career were present after the Jackson fight, when he reported subsequently that he suffered significant headache and dizziness. This was dismissed as a consequence of being hit by arguably the hardest puncher in the division at the time. However, significant head injury may already have occurred at that time.

McClellan, nicknamed The G-Man, was considered to be the hardest hitter in Middle-weight history, some saying he hit even harder than Julian Jackson. Tragically, he never realized his initially awesome potential due to a tragedy which struck when McClellan went up in weight to challenge world Super-Middleweight champion Nigel Benn in London on February 25, 1995.

The weights and tactics for this fight were significant. Benn weighed on the limit of 168, while McClellan came in at a surprisingly light 165. When lower weight champions move up a weight to challenge a respected champion without fulfilling the available weight category limit, it is expected they will use their likely speed advantage to initially outbox their heavier opponent and perhaps gain a points decision or opportunistic late knockout. McCllelan surprisingly decided to pursue a very aggressive fight from the onset while being a significantly smaller man on the scales.

The bold policy almost worked, with McClellan dropping Benn out of the ring in round one. The time from Benn being knocked down to regaining his feet was 9 seconds, and WBC rule states that a fallen boxer is allowed 20 seconds, rather than the usual 10, if he lands outside the ring. Thus, the claims that McClellan should have been awarded the fight are invalid.

Televised live to the United States by Showtime and to the UK on ITV, the fight had a devastating ending, as McClellan, after dropping Benn again in round eight, took a knee in round ten after being knocked down by a barrage of punches moments earlier by the ferocious Benn. He was counted out, collapsing in his corner and losing consciousness. Referee Alfred Azaro was harshly criticized as inept for the way he handled the fight.

McClellan had emergency surgery to remove a bloodclot from his brain. He spent weeks in a coma and once regaining consciousness was found to have suffered extensive brain damage. He lost his eyesight, the ability to walk 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. He has been the honoree at numerous banquets and award ceremonies, and fellow boxing world champion Roy Jones Jr., often pointed as a possible rival during the 1990s, set up a foundation to help McClellan.

McClellan's record as a professional boxer was 31 wins and 3 losses with 29 wins by knockout. McClellan's opponents rarely lasted past the third round.

Controversy

McClellan was known to have participated in dog fighting. His pit bull, Deuce, (also tattooed on McClellan’s right shoulder [1]), was often pitted against bait (dogs), while McClellan would time how long it took Deuce to kill them.

In an interview for Observer Sport Monthly, Stan Johnson, Gerald’s coach, described one of the dog fights he witnessed. Tellingly, Johnson also added: "Gerald likes killin' things", describing McClellan as: "A violent, violent, violent, violent, violent man." [2] In the same article, Donnie Penelton, Gerald’s cousin, also called “The Black Battle Cat”, stated that after a dogfight Deuce had failed to win, McClellan shot him. [3]

Many who were appalled by McClellan's private life have in the past expressed their happiness that he is now disabled, highlighting the depth of disgust some people feel for him. Others, particularly fellow boxers and athletes, whilst condemning his actions, have gone on to offer support to the boxer.

On Saturday February 24th, the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London, held an event called the Gerald McClellan Benefit Evening. The benefit night had been arranged by Nigel Benn, who McClellan was fighting when he was injured. Nigel Benn has since expressed his regret that his opponent was so badly injured. Many petitions and campaigns were launched in protest against the event and the sports minister Richard Caborn was contacted by members of the Animal Rights Community Online. [4]

References

• Boxer's life caught up in ring of dogs, fighting
• The Big Interview: Nigel Benn
• Fighting for life
• Benefit Event For Dog Cruelty Boxer Sparks Controversy

External links

• Gerald McClellan Highlight Video
• Article on McClellan's condition
• Boxing Record
• The Gerald McClellan Trust
• Background Story Sunday November 4, 2001 Observer Sport Monthly