18.01.07 – By James Slater: On the evening of February 24th this year, a very emotional and quite unique dinner will be held in London. To aid former middleweight champion of the world Gerald McClellan, a stellar gathering of former and current world boxing champions will be found in the same room at the same time. Gerald, of course, was badly injured in his brutal fight with Britain’s Nigel Benn. And now Benn, wanting to do something to help his former opponent’s constant and heartbreaking plight, has agreed to the benefit.
Nigel, now forty-two, will come face to face with “The G-Man,” now thirty-nine, for the first time since their fierce and life changing boxing match – a fight that took place twelve years ago this year. Benn hooked up with former British welterweight champion and one time world title challenger, Kevin Lueshing – Nigel’s close friend and agent – to help make the evening possible. An absolute star gathering of past and present boxing talent was soon found and once asked was only too happy to give a helping hand to Gerald also.
Men from both sides of the Atlantic will be there on the 24th. Names like (Chris) Eubank, (Steve) Collins, (Frank) Bruno, (Alan) Minter, (Robin) Reid, and of course both Gerald and Nigel themselves, will make up the numbers of big name former champions. While fine boxers currently at the top of their game who will be there for Gerald include IBF light heavyweight champ Clinton Woods, British light middleweight king Jamie Moore, European cruiserweight champ Enzo Maccarinelli, world light welterweight boss Junior Witter and current heavyweight contender and former multi-weight world champion James “Lights Out” Toney. And, in one other big name surprise, “Prince” Naseem Hamed will also be in the house. A sparkling collection of boxing greats if ever there was one then.
Tickets, the proceeds of which will go a long way towards giving Gerald much of the help he needs, are priced at £150. But any price, of a monetary nature, is nothing compared to the awful price “The G-Man” bravely paid while in search of glory and respect in his chosen profession. The black tie fundraiser is one of the highest in honourable causes and both Benn and Lueshing should be commended for their efforts. It should be an unforgettable, if tearful, occasion. The venue is The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane and a six hour evening is planned.
All celebrity boxers present will make themselves available to the fans for photos and autographs. Fully realising what they are really there for, however, there will be no grandstanding or posturing from any of them. The evening is first and foremost for Gerald McClellan. And as the promotional headline above the evening’s advertisement boldly reads, the event is – “A Night of Champions for a Champion.” Accordingly, all egos will be left well and truly at the front door.