War, Baby: The Glamour of Violence: xviii

by KevinMitchell (Author)

• New

  Paperback
  2003

  $13.68

  25th February 1995 The Dark Destroyer vs the G-Man Nigel Benn and Gerald McClennan Two men with a reputation to defend - a reputation for brutal, unforgiving combat both in the ring and outside it. Ostensibly, they were fighting for a world title and a lot of money, the stuff of professional boxing. But this fight was different. It was a rare collision of wills, and few present had seen anything like it. After ten of the most gruelling and vicious rounds that the sport of boxing has ever witnessed McClellan finally was defeated. He knelt in his corner on one knee in submission. And he never got up. This is the story of what brought these two men together on the night of 25th February 1995 and how that night changed them forever. It's a story too about those associated with the promotion of public fist-fighting, who bend morality to suit their needs. It's a story that attempts to unravel the glamour of violence. William Hill Sports Book of the Year Finalist.

• Used

  Paperback
  2001

  $3.24

  Violence, both justified and random, subverted or given free expression, is part of the human condition - it simultaneously fascinates and repels us. Rarely can this have been more apparent than on 25 February, 1995, when Gerald McClellan fought Nigel Benn in the London Arena. At the pre-fight press conference McClellan said boxing is war - it's a fight to the death and there was an unusual tension around the meeting of these two men that wasn't simply generated by hype. Nigel Benn came to the ring as underdog and local boy. He was a better than average English boxer with a brutal reputation but his career was coming to an end. American-born Gerald McClellan however was on his way to becoming a boxing legend. He was a viscous, mean boxer by any standards. Ostensibly, they were fighting for a world title and a lot of money, the stuff of professional boxing. But this fight was different. It was a rare collision of wills, and few present had seen anything like it. The fight was finally stopped after ten gruelling rounds; the firecely jingoistic crowd relishing the American's surprise defeat. But then, McClellan didn't get up. He was unconscious, a doctor came, an ambulance was called. Gerald McClellan had suffered severe brain damage, and is now blind and half deaf and living in impoverished solitude in the small American town where he grew up. This is the story of these two men. It is a story too about those associated with the promotion of public fist-fighting, who bend morality to suit their needs and who never run short of willing agents, either in the gym or at the turnstiles. It is a story that attempts to unravel the glamour of violence.