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Gerald McCellanAmerican professional boxer.
Date of Birth: 23.10.1967
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Gerald McClellan
Gerald McClellan was an American professional boxer who competed in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions. He was born on October 23, 1967, in Freeport, Illinois.
Early Career
McClellan made his professional boxing debut in 1988 and initially struggled, losing twice to middleweight opponents in 1989. However, his fortunes changed in November 1991 when he faced the renowned Ugandan knockout artist John Mugabi for the vacant WBO middleweight world title. In the first round of the fight, McClellan knocked Mugabi down three times, ultimately leading to the fight being stopped.
World Champion
In May 1993, McClellan faced Julian Jackson, the reigning WBC middleweight champion, in a highly anticipated bout between two powerful knockout artists. In the fifth round, Jackson struck McClellan below the belt, resulting in a brief break. When the fight resumed, McClellan landed a devastating left hook to Jackson's jaw, causing him to fly across the ring and suffer a severe knockdown. Although Jackson managed to rise, McClellan relentlessly attacked him, causing the referee to stop the fight. McClellan successfully defended his title against Jay Bell and Gilbert Baptist in subsequent fights.
Tragic Rematch
Exactly one year after their first encounter, McClellan faced Julian Jackson in a rematch in May 1994. McClellan immediately launched a barrage of punches, overwhelming Jackson and forcing him against the ropes. The referee counted a knockdown after the ropes prevented Jackson from falling. McClellan continued his assault and delivered a powerful left hook to Jackson's liver, causing him to buckle and a subsequent blow to the back of the head that sent him to the canvas. Jackson failed to beat the count of ten, resulting in McClellan being declared the winner by knockout.
Life-Altering Injuries
Following the fight with Jackson, McClellan moved up to the super middleweight division. In February 1995, he traveled to England to face Nigel Benn, the WBC super middleweight champion. The fight was intense, with McClellan dominating Benn and sending him to the canvas multiple times. However, in the tenth round, McClellan suffered a serious brain injury and collapsed in his corner after the fight. He was rushed to the hospital, where it was determined that he had suffered permanent paralysis, blindness, and deafness.
The bout between McClellan and Benn was later named "Fight of the Year" by Ring Magazine. This tragic event brought attention to the risks associated with boxing and sparked debates about fighter safety and medical protocols.
Despite the devastating outcome of his career, Gerald McClellan's remarkable performances in the ring will always be remembered by boxing enthusiasts.
