Gerald McClellan inducted into Hall of Fame

About four months ago on October 13th, 2007 I was invited to and attended the 2007 World Boxing Hall of Fame inductions at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Ca. That night I watched five of the Worlds All Time great boxers as well as Cornerman George Benton, Referree Joe Cortez who has been the third man in the ring in 156 World Championship bouts, and Steve Albert (The voice of Showtime Boxing since their inception in 1977) all inshrined in the World Boxing Hall of Fame. The night was filled with exciting moments, lots of Boxing Talk as well as rubbing shoulders with many former Hall of Fame inductees. The greatest fighter at boxing smallest division, Ricardo Lopez was a highlight I will never forget. Then as the night was drawing to a close, there was a special annoncement that a very special guest had just arrived and would be inducted that night into the World Boxing Hall of fame.. Everyone was looking towards the entrance for a glimpse of some legend to walk in and introduce himself.. Then as the front doors to the banquet hall opened up, I witnessed one of the greatest yet saddest moments I had ever experienced as a boxing fan. Steve Albert announced that the World Boxing Hall of Fame was proud to announce the induction of one of the greatest middleweights of all time.. Then with the help of his mother and other family members wheeled in a bed with Gerald McClellan laying there still fighting for his life from the super middleweight title fight with the (Dark Destroyer) Nigel Benn in 1995. His mother spoke of what this meant to him and his family and what they indured getting Gerald to Ontario, Ca. for the induction.As we were told he is still in a semi comatose state, yet as I looked at him during the induction his eyes were rappidly blinking. Which his mother said showed he was acknowledging his presence.. As they played video of Gerald on a large screen, there wasn't a dry eye anywhere in the banquet hall. Thank You to Gerald and his family for all the great memories, We'll never forget you Gerald.

Comments (20)

Why wa he in a bed and not a wheel chair? And why was he semi-comatose?

18y ago

Lenny_McDaniels

He almost broke Benn's head off, unbelievably heavy hands and looked a dead cert for future greatness. And that was the best fight ever. Yes I agree, One great fight. Both men had sledgehammers in both hands!!

18y ago

Lenny_McDaniels

Gerald, Nigel and Chris all belong in the HOF. Great warriors each, in the ring and in life. Amen. Absolutely they all belong, 3 boxers who never heard the word ducked or dodged.. Warriors they are. Thank you.

18y ago

hulme1

Gerald, Nigel and Chris all belong in the HOF. Great warriors each, in the ring and in life. Amen.

18y ago

Jolly_Roger

What???? I don't think this thread had anything to do with whether or not Chris Eubank or Nigel Benn belong in the World Boxing Hall of Fame..This was about the G-man and what he is still facing everyday in his battle to stay alive.. The G-man wasn't only a Hall of Fame Boxer, but he was a Hall of Fame human being.. Thank you, G-man!!! I thought it was about the credibility of him being inducted.

18y ago

Orange_Sneakers

He almost broke Benn's head off, unbelievably heavy hands and looked a dead cert for future greatness. And that was the best fight ever.

18y ago

Antonio

This is the WBHOF, the one that has Cleveland Williams and Jerry Quarry in it. Not the IBOF.

18y ago

Orange_Sneakers

He almost broke Benn's head off, unbelievably heavy hands and looked a dead cert for future greatness. And that was the best fight ever.

18y ago

Unseen

You are incorresct in saying he only defended his title twice..After beating Julian Jackson, he Knocked out Jay Bell and then Knocked out Gilbert Baptist and then destroyed Jackson in his second meeting. All THREE in the First round. With nobody on the horizon he was forced to invade England in search of a competitive fight.. By the way, If the fight was called as it should have been(when Gerald knocked Benn through the ropes and out of the ring for much more than 10 seconds. if you get knocked out of the ring then isn't it a longer count since getting in the ring is an obstacle?

18y ago

Lenny_McDaniels

He only made to 2 defences of his middlewieght title. What about Micheal Watson and Paul Ingle?? Both champions who as a result of brain damage had to retire. You are incorresct in saying he only defended his title twice..After beating Julian Jackson, he Knocked out Jay Bell and then Knocked out Gilbert Baptist and then destroyed Jackson in his second meeting. All THREE in the First round. With nobody on the horizon he was forced to invade England in search of a competitive fight.. By the way, If the fight was called as it should have been(when Gerald knocked Benn through the ropes and out of the ring for much more than 10 seconds.

18y ago

Lenny_McDaniels

So McClellan is in, but Benn and Eubank aren't.:fuckyou: What???? I don't think this thread had anything to do with whether or not Chris Eubank or Nigel Benn belong in the World Boxing Hall of Fame..This was about the G-man and what he is still facing everyday in his battle to stay alive.. The G-man wasn't only a Hall of Fame Boxer, but he was a Hall of Fame human being.. Thank you, G-man!!!

18y ago

Method

Just wondering why he was wheeled in in a bed, and why his condition was described as semi-comatose. There have been numerous articles penned where Gerald is NOT bed ridden, and interviews where his condition was far from semi-comatose. Are we to assume his condition has deteriorated severely?

18y ago

RichCCFC

Nice one G-Man.

18y ago

ztrac79

Congrats G-Man!

18y ago

RaneEx54

The g-man deserves it. He was a beast in the ring. One of the best KO artists the middleweight div has ever seen. Congrats!!

18y ago

Silencers

Good for McClellan.