Nigel Benn

Nigel Benn just might be the quintessential East End boxer. Born and raised in Illford, Benn did 18 months time on patrol in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. Kind of makes stepping into the ring seem like a cakewalk, wouldn’t it? Both a World champion at middleweight and super middleweight Benn possessed all the tools to be one of the greatest English boxers in history except he always seemed to lack that final bit of drive that differentiates the good and the great. Not to say that there wasn’t some tremendous triumphs in Benn’s career, he took out Iran Barkley in one round, nuff said. But his fight with the tremendously talented Chris Eubank was to be another misstep in a career full of them on the biggest stage. With the heart of a champion and ability to match it, it’s scary to imagine what Nigel would have accomplished if he could take it too the next level.

Nigel Benn versus Chris Eubank

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjXWjBAMr2c?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

There has seldom been such an electric crowd as the one present at Birmingham’s NEC for the middleweight showdown between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank on November 18th, 1990. Benn was the toast of the British sporting world, coming off an explosive upset of Iran Barkley. Eubank was a much maligned boxer, possessingincredible skill and the arrogance to accompany it. It’s an oft heard expression in boxing circles that styles make fights and this showdown was another example. Benn’s explosive KO power was matched against Eubank’s sublime counter and combination punching. After the fight both men give emotional interviews and showcase the kind of respect two enemies gain for each other after they’ve gone into battle with one another. This is just the remedy to the embarassment which David Haye and Dereck Chisora have brought upon British boxing.