The Gerald “G-Man” McClellan Foundation needs support.
Let’s take a moment to give thanks and appreciation to one of the greatest boxers of our generation, Gerald “G-Man” McClellan, by attending his charity fundraiser or donating to one of many funds set to help fighters deal with the struggles that can arise in their post-boxing lives.
The 25th of February, 2015, marked the 20th anniversary of one of boxing’s most memorable fights: the Super-Middleweight bout between Gerald “G-Man” McClellan and Nigel “The Dark Destroyer” Benn.
Gerald McClellan is a former middle-weight boxer with a professional record of 31 wins and 3 losses, with 29 wins by knockout. McClellan is a two-time world champion having won the WBC and WBA championships. He is also #27 on The Ring Magazine’s list of “100 Greatest Punchers of All Time”.
Nigel “The Dark Destroyer” Benn is a former world champion with titles in the Middleweight and Super-Middleweight divisions. Benn’s professional record consist of 42 wins, 5 loses, and 1 draw with 35 wins by knockout.
With a hall of fame boxing career already in the books, McClellan had one more fight, scheduled to be his final night in the ring. While it may have been his final fight in the ring, it was only the beginning of a new set of fights and struggles outside of the ring.
In that fight against Super-Middleweight champion Nigel “The Dark Destroyer” Benn, McClellan suffered a severe brain injury. McClellan moved up in weight to challenge Nigel Benn. The fight started and McClellan knocked Nigel Benn through the ropes scoring a knock down, and later in the round, McClellan scored another. Credit is given to the champ, Nigel Benn, who fought his way back into the fight by landing a few power punches.
By the end of the 10th round, Nigel Benn had come back to give McClellan all he could handle forcing the challenger to take a standing eight count only to eventually lose the fight. When McClellan returned to his corner he collapsed and was taken to the hospital where emergency surgery was performed to remove a blood clot. After the surgery McClellan was in a coma for 11 days, and when he awoke, he was blind. He was unable to walk without assistance, was 80% deaf, and his short-term memory was greatly affected.
Since 1995, McClellan has been able to walk with the assistance of a cane, however his hearing, eyesight and memory have not improved.
And then the boxing community rallied.
Former boxing world champion Roy Jones Jr. set up a foundation to help McClellan. Nigel Benn has also helped to raise funds for McClellan’s medical bills and treatments. Auctions as well as fundraisers have been held to help him with his medical bills and other living expenses. In 2012, the World Boxing Council publicly appealed that donations for a trust fund be set up in McClellan’s name so that his sister’s and caregivers could maintain the 24-hour care he requires.
Terry Norris also appealed to the Gerald McClellan Trust stating that “Gerald’s organs are starting to shut down because of his brain injury”. Terry Norris, the former World Lightweight Champion, has a foundation — “Final Fight Foundation” — which protects boxers. Another non-profit organization helps financially depleted former fighters also helps McClellan by providing him with fundraisers to help pay for necessities as well as providing him with food monthly.
On Saturday March 28, 2015, there will be a fundraiser honoring Gerald “G-Man” McClellan at the Masonic Temple Ballroom, 305-315 West Stephenson Street, Freeport Illinois. The guest speaker will be Nigel “The Dark Destroyer” Benn. For more information concerning this event please visit http://www.statelinewarriors.com/an-evening-honoring-g-man.html
Or contact at Lisa McClellan at 815-266-7277 [email protected] /[email protected]
This is a wonderful way to pay tribute to one of our greatest athletes and a wonderful human being who is in need of our help. Its also a beautiful way to say thank-you, show your support and appreciation for an honorable man — Gerald “G-Man” McClellan.
