When I Hated Boxing
By John Orden (May 14, 2002)
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Boxing is the epitome of sport that demonstrates the courage, will and heart of modern day warriors in a square ring. Where two men test one another’s desire to break the odds. We revel in the joy and ecstasy, as two fighters exchange blows in an attempt to render the other one incapable of going on. However with everything good, there is it’s opposite, and in my case, sheer terror.

I have always had a love-hate relationship with the sport of boxing and up until earlier this week I thought my impression of the sport I hold dear to my heart would never change. My assumption could not have been the further from the truth.

Being someone who has followed the sport through the years, but not as closely as I try to do now, I felt it would be appropriate to brush up on my boxing history and have a look at a couple fights from the past.

A fight that had always intrigued me was a super middleweight bout between Gerald “The G-Man” McClellan versus Nigel “The Dark Destroyer” Benn from the London Arena. I had heard so much about this fight from other writers and friends alike. I heard that McClellan was badly injured after the fight, I had heard it was war, I had heard it was one of the greatest bouts ever televised. But all I had heard could not prepare me for what I experienced that Sunday afternoon when I unfortunately decided to insert the tape of that fight in my VCR. Nobody warned me it would one of the worst viewing experiences I would ever have watching a professional boxing match.

I was fully aware that McClellan was blind, unable to walk, and in need of constant care after the punishment he sustained in the ten round brawl. I was also aware that he would soon fall into a coma, and surgery would have to be performed to remove a blood clot from his brain. I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to watch the fight, but I could not help feeling guilty for watching the downfall of a fellow human being right before my eyes. ‘Why was I watching this?’ I asked myself – Mind you, I never took my eyes off the screen.

As round one began, McClellan hammered Benn into the ropes, letting loose a barrage of ammunition that floored the Englishman through the ropes outside the ring. As Benn struggled to get to his feet, he caught the count and quickly made his way back into the ring, through the ropes, just beating the count. This isn’t too bad, McClellan had him out on his feet. What in the world happened then? How did this fighter who looked unstoppable at the beginning succumb to our worst fears?

It didn’t take long for me to understand that the worst was soon to come. As McClellan absorbed power shot after power shot I began to sink deeper into the couch. The more punches McClellan received, the more dreadful the situation became. Hard blows inflicted to the back of McClellan’s head were never reprimanded by the incompetent referee in charge. The horrible display had me gasping for air. Even though I knew what I was watching was a 7-year-old recording on VHS, it looked and felt so real that I could feel it uncovering right before my eyes. ‘STOP THE FIGHT!’ I yelled in a feeble attempt to get the referees attention. However there would be no premature stoppage by the referee on this night. Not until McClellan decided to call it quits after taking a knee for the second time after receiving questionable shots to the back of the head in the eleventh round.

What made matters worst was the foolish commentary by the renowned “Fight Doctor” Ferdie Pacheco who couldn’t help calling McClellan a quitter. Knowing full well what would happen to Gerald McClellan after the fight I could not help but curse Pacheco for his vicious slander and disrespect. I realized Pacheco was only speaking from his past experience watching McClellan, but I could not help myself.

In a fight that I thought could not possibly get worse, I was left with a nightmarish sight that I will never forget until my time is up on this old earth. The picture of the G-Man laid flat on his back on a stretcher from a birds-eye view left a haunting message that would shiver and resonate throughout my whole body. A dark message of what can happen when two warriors step into the ring to risk their lives for the prize.

So the next time you settle in front of the tube to watch the fights – remember Gerald McClellan and remember why we love this great sport. It’s because of brave warriors like the G-Man and what they leave of themselves in the ring for us to cherish.

To contribute to the Gerald McClellan fund:
Gerald McClellan Trust Fund
PO Box 120
Freeport, Illinois
USA 61032

~I grew up watching boxing with my dad... even now (being older), we have parties/gatherings to watch the sport. (for me, no more, at least not lately)

I always wondered why... out of all the sports, I accepted this one. Being it a sport that I was exposed to since I can remember... I believe I found some logic to why I approved. I feel if one decided to willingly get into a ring, risk their well-being/health... it was by choice, so be it.

As for the position of Ferdie Pacheco ... were is the logics in the seen. I suppose one cannot predict the outcome of what will be, although there are/were evident signs that are/were carelessly overlooked, for the sake of a prize.

I personally know a couple boxers, one in particular... which lives here in the Valley, he is a sad case of a "winner"... no more. His mind, his face... show evident signs of abuse over many years of physical beating. All for what again... oh yes, a prize that will not prove beneficial later in life.

Thank you for sharing C.