An exclusive Gerald McClellan update on The G-Man’s birthday

04/25/20

On his birthday, Boxing Guru brings you an exclusive update on Gerald McClellan, just over 25 years on from that devastating night in London back in 1995.

We speak to his sister, Lisa McClellan to find out how the G-Man is today and see whether boxing is supporting him.

Back in 1995, McClellan was touted as ‘a miniature Mike Tyson’ by his promoter Don King and was the WBC super-middleweight world champion. He was the man to beat, coming off two great wins against perhaps the most powerful puncher of all time in Julian Jackson. The first a spectacular KO to claim the world title which was awarded ‘Knockout of the Year’ for 1993 and the second, a savage body shot in the first round which proved to be McClellan’s penultimate fight.

McClellan was on the cusp of becoming one of the biggest names in boxing and had never previously been taken past the 8th round. His former trainer Emanuel Steward, who worked with legendary fighters such as Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis, and Wladimir Klitschko, claimed in 2011: ‘Out of all the fighters I have trained, Gerald probably had the biggest mean streak of them all.’ Despite traveling across the pond to face Benn in his own back yard, the champion was a heavy favorite to win the fight.

The fight – 25th February 1995:

A raucous crowd packed into the London arena and 13 million people across the world tuned in to what was one of the most eagerly anticipated fights on both sides of the Atlantic for many, many years. His sister Lisa, now 51, was not present at ringside and has never watched the fight. Her 24/7 care of him for the last 25 years has been a life-changing and ultimately cost her her marriage.

Watch the full fight below…

The Aftermath:

In the moments after losing the fight and walking back to his corner, McClellan collapsed. He was rushed to the Royal London hospital where he received life-saving brain surgery from Dr. John Sutcliffe to remove a blood clot. The Dr gave Gerald a better than 50% chance to live but declared his boxing career over. McClellan was in a coma for 2 weeks before he regained consciousness and wasn’t able to return home until August.

The fight was so barbaric that the British Parliament called a motion for the abolishment of boxing altogether.  The British Boxing Board of Control maintains that to outlaw pugilism would serve only to drive it underground, to a dark place where none of their safeguards exist and more tragedies would occur.

Interview with Lisa McClellan:

Lisa, how is Gerald doing today?

Gerald is a fighter. He is resourceful and has got on with things despite being completely blind and 80% deaf. He can feed himself but requires help with all other functions. His short term memory is getting better because his daily routine is becoming part of his long term memory. His comprehension and understanding has slowly improved over the years. He is not able to walk unassisted due to the areas of his brain that are damaged.

You’ve previously said boxing could do more to help with Gerald and other fighters – do you still feel that way?

Since being a part of the organization Ring 10 in New York run by Matt Farago, I became a member a couple of years ago, I have been involved in getting help for a lot of fighters. Not only is Gerald in need, but there are also so many others that are struggling – financially, from CTE and head traumas from the years of boxing. It’s important to shine a light to let fighters today know what to expect tomorrow. I have met so many fighters through Ring 10 that I used to watch on television and to see where they are now is heartbreaking.

Ring 10 has a fundraiser every year and 100% of the money goes to help the fighters no matter what they need. 30 fighters are supported with food carts every month, funeral services, utility bills, nurse support, anything they need. It is an awesome organization. Due to COVID-19 issues in New York, the next fundraiser will be hosted in Freeport this year on November 7. If we go without having the fundraiser the fighters won’t get the help they need. The event will be streamed live and Boxing Guru will promote it via our Instagram channel.

The money Gerald made in boxing quickly dried up with medical bills and other expenses – How is Gerald doing financially?

I am not able to work as I am left to care for Gerald 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I get paid a small amount from the state for taking care of him. We live off that, his disability stipend, and the kind donations we receive from people. The WBC helps us every year, Ring 10 helps us every month, and donations through the Go Fund Me page which are key for us to keep going. 

What treatments are helping Gerald?

Gerald recently had surgery where he had his colon removed and so we had a bunch of medical bills from that. There are a lot of treatments out there that can help fighters like Gerald. One of them is called Hyperbaric treatment which is highly pressurized oxygen which goes to the brain to help brain cells. I am currently trying to raise $3000 to buy the equipment to have one in our home. I know of 2 people that have had brain injuries from boxing who take this treatment and it really helps, you can definitely notice the difference.

If you are able to donate something (even just a dollar) to help Lisa purchase the Hyperbaric equipment for Gerald, please visit their Go Fund Me page.

Thank you and from all at Boxing Guru, happy birthday Gerald McClellan!