FEBRUARY 25, 1995, London Arena. This was, of course, the date and venue for the tragic and savage fight between super-middleweights Gerald McClellan and Nigel Benn. Underdog Benn fought the fight of his life to defeat ‘The G-Man’, but sadly, the damage McClellan suffered in the ring left him fighting for his very life.
Thirty years have gone by, and Gerald, now aged 57, has been cared for, around the clock, by his doting sister, Lisa. Sadly, Lisa’s sister, Sandra, who also tended to Gerald, passed away a short time ago. Incredibly selfless as well as stoic, Lisa has devoted her life to her stricken brother.
Speaking with Boxing News as the anniversary of the ill-fated fight approached, Lisa is understandably still moved to tears over what happened that night in London.
Boxing News: It’s 30 years since the fight, Lisa. How fast has the time gone for you?
Lisa McClellan: “I’ve done a couple of podcast interviews on the fight, and the guy from the Daily Mail is coming over. It doesn’t feel like 30 years. It has gone very fast. I was not there in London on the night of the fight. We got the news and of course we flew over to the UK.”
BN: What memories does Gerald have of the fight and what happened to him?
LM: “Well, we’ve been doing a treatment, where Gerald’s taking testosterone and peptide, and this has caused some healing to his brain. So, he’s started to improve some, to the point where he’s started to remember the fight. Really, he [only] remembered what I’ve told him over the last 30 years. He’ll ask me questions, and up until recently, it’s been what I’ve told him. But a couple of months ago, he started telling me what happened in the ring, why he took a knee.”
BN: It’s such a major chapter in boxing history. Gerald had a great career before the tragedy. Does he remember his other fights?
LM: “Oh, yeah. Absolutely. He knows what he accomplished. I was working on a fundraiser event for the 30 years, but my sister Sandra took sick. I had to take care of Sandra as well. It was very consuming, taking care of Sandra and Gerald at the same time, so I had to cancel the event. Sadly, my sister passed away a couple of weeks ago.”
BN: You’ve had a very tough time of things to say the least. How have you managed to stay so strong?
LM: “I try. I have faith in God. I do what needs to be done. Gerald today, he is doing very well. He’s very strong. I started my own foundation, called ‘The Ring of Brotherhood,’ and I’m very much in touch with a lot of fighters, who have stayed in touch and helped. We have raised some money to buy Gerald a handicapped vehicle. A lot of help comes from the WBC, and other organisations.”
BN: There have been a lot of articles and documentaries about the fight. Do you read or watch any of them?
LM: “No, I don’t, not really. I’m actually working on my own. Most of the ones that I have actually taken the time to see, they are not accurate, so it’s hard for me to embrace them. They say things like, Gerald is deaf, and he’s never been deaf. There is absolutely nothing wrong with his hearing. And I’ve said it for years, that it is his [struggle with] comprehension, not his hearing.
“I watched a documentary that said he is 90 per cent deaf, and that’s just not true. The people who made some of these stories and articles, most of them, they haven’t even contacted me to get my side of the story. It’s unfortunate, that’s why I’m making my own now, to get the truth out.”
BN: You are still a boxing fan despite what happened?
LM: Absolutely. As is Gerald. I believe if Gerald could be himself again, he would still be a fighter.”
BN: Looking back all these years later, have you any opinion on either the referee of the fight, Alfred Asaro, or of Gerald’s head coach, Stan Johnson? You have made it clear that you hold no grudges and don’t lay the blame at anyone’s door.
LM: “I thought the referee was incompetent. But no [I don’t lay the blame on anyone]. Stan Johnson has tried to make contact, but I would never consider a conversation with him. He was incompetent, just as bad as the referee. For me, it’s been tough. I say it like this, I feel like I’ve been in a 12-round fight for 30 years.”
BN: Day to day, how is Gerald overall?
LM: Oh, he’s still got his spirit, he makes me laugh. He’s still funny, he loves to talk. He’s very emotional, and very warm. Then there are days when he’s mean and aggressive, because of the head injury. But for the most part he’s very loving and kind.
“We talk a lot. We have long conversations where he wants to know what’s going on with his kids, and his six grandchildren. Gerald has three children. Gerald, I believe, will live a long time. Physically, he’s very healthy.”
BN: Gerald McClellan Junior is now a boxer himself of course?
LM: “Yes he is. I don’t necessarily like it, but I’ll support him.”
BN: Is there anything you’d like to say in closing?
LM: “I’ll forever have a love for people in England, because of the love and the support they’ve always shown. It’s always strong. It’s sad to say, but we get more love and support from England than we do here at home. And it’s always been that way.
“I talk with a lot of Gerald’s fans from England, and the conversation usually starts with them telling me how they were a kid when they watched the fight with their dad that night. I get a lot of that. I get emails from people who were at the fight that night. We really do get a lot of support from the UK.”
