Nigel Benn hopes to carry his family name forward with a victory for his son in tonight’s blockbuster domestic dust-up against Chris Eubank Jr.
Nigel Benn retired with a record of 42-5-1, he was beaten first by Michael Watson, and then again by Chris Eubank in a fight watched and praised by the masses.
He remained undefeated for the rest of his career, until a man he had beaten in 1992 came back to haunt him, beginning the downfall of Nigel Benn.
Thulani Malinga edged a win over Nigel Benn that pushed his career over the brink
In 1992, off the back of a third-round win over Dan Sherry, Benn, who began his career with a 22-KO-streak, faced 33-7 Thulani Malinga in Birmingham.
Malinga was coming off a loss to Benn’s bitter rival, Eubank Sr., and Benn, who knocked down Doug DeWitt three times, surely hoped to impress more than Eubank, who beat Malinga on a split decision, had.
The fight was extremely close, with the referee scoring the bout in favor of Benn by just half a point with a score of 98-97.5.
It was four years before the pair fought again, but this time ‘Sugar Boy’ Malinga returned with a vengeance.
With a record of 40-9, Malinga endeavoured to pick up a win in his 50th fight, whilst Benn, who was 42-2-1, hoped to continue his unbeaten run.
The fight was another close one, but this time Malinga got the nod. Little did Benn know, this close fight was the closest he’d come to winning ever again, as Benn was stopped twice by Eubank’s foe Steve Collins in his next two fights, before retiring for good.
Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank have one haunting thing in common
Boxing is a brutal sport, and despite any precautions made, the sport has seen some tragic incidents.
Eubank Sr. found this out the hard way, when he faced Michael Watson for the second time, having won a majority decision in their first encounter.
Both Eubank and Watson were dropped, but it was Eubank who emerged victorious with a final-round stoppage. Watson collapsed soon after, and was rushed to hospital, where he spent 40 days in a coma.
Watson suffered permanent partial paralysis, but has is able to talk and continue living life. He has harbored no ill will to his old foe.
Benn encountered a similar fate four years later, when he gave Gerald McClellan permanent brain damage after his knockout win over him.
The pair have both expressed sorrow over the tragic incidences, and both tales serve as a reminder of the risks fighters make when they step into the ring.