12. Nigel Benn (42-5-1, 35 KO)

Born January 22, 1964

 

"The Dark Destroyer" Benn had a storied career that saw him world titles at two different weight classes.

 

Benn went 41-1 in an impressive amateur career before turning professional in 1987. Benn blazed a trail in his early career firing his way to 22 consecutive KO wins.  Benn lost to Michael Watson (KO6) before getting back on track by beating Jorge Amparo on points in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

 

Nigel returned to Atlantic City to win the WBO Middleweight Championship by knocking out Doug DeWitt in eight rounds. Benn defended his title successfully with a first round knockout of Iran Barkley, before he would bump into his most-hated rival.

 

Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank is a rivalry that has gone down in British sporting history.  Benn adopted the role of working class hero, while arrogant aristocrat Eubank had few admirers anywhere.  Eubank stopped Benn in the ninth round in a spectacular brawl, a result that reduced the Dark Destroyer to tears.

 

Benn responded with a six-fight winning streak before taking the WBC Super-Middleweight Title away from Mauro Galvano by way of fourth-round KO. Benn successfully defended three titles then held onto it after a vicious rematch with Eubank ended in a draw.

 

Benn was underdog in the eyes of many pundits when he defended against American Gerald McLellan in 1995. Benn beat McLellan by 10th-round KO but the fight has tragic consequences. After suffering a number of heavy blows, McLellan was rushed to hospital with a blood clot in his brain and remains in a wheelchair to this day.

 

Thulani "Sugar Boy" Malinga would take Benn's title away, and the Dark Destroyer's career ended after two failed world title shots against Steve Collins.