Tonight ITV1 10:30: The Fight of their Lives documentary

Quite ironic that in a way somebody who doesnt have a lot going for them in life has few real friends or social skills finds solace in violence. Through his dogs and in the ring and ultimately was consumed by it.

There is a dark and sad irony to Mclellan. I ever wonder what became of his dog Deuce? Probably went the same way as him killed in a dogfight? What a strange bond they had.

 

am sure Deuce was badly injured in fight, McClellan stopped the fight and pulle the dog out.

 

Deuce was losing a fight so McClellan pulled him out. He took him back to his car, put it on the seat, and shot it.

 

I thought it was a pretty weak documentary, but good tv. Gerald seemed like he had aspergers or similar. Those with the condition sometimes lack empathy.

Jim and Barry came across well. Stan is a moron and, from reading Mitchell's book, always has been.

Overall, it swung all over the place. No real narrative and probably quite confusing if you didn't some of the background. It really needed to be longer or more focused. Also, the oft misquouted Jones Jr thing about not fighting G-man... Grrr...

 

I agree with you a D, It did go all over gaff at times, i found Ajayi and the lad they rave about on pads needless part of it. Get a bit fed up with them showing that lad off whenever they can. Felt the Ingle bit from the ITV 4 piece where he asks lad to take hat off and asks him what's he's been taught and kid replies 'boxing, only sport you can be legally killed in' worth showing then a kid showboating on pads. Benn/McClellan never worked pads like that both were destroyers.

 

Yes, apparently all involved were taken aback by how upset McClellan was when the dog was injured.

Its interesting this idea that he was in someway 'simple'. Talking heads in the doc kept mentioning the blinking as a sign that the corner should have picked up on during the fight. But all the training footage showing him blinking just as frequently and as intensely. The thing with mouth guard popping seemed to fit with the mouth ticks /curling and tensing his lips when he was being interviewed.

Like others have said, the senseless flamingo killing and dog fighting - especially taping labradors mouths shut - dull any feelings of sympathy I have for his plight.

 

I wish they'd spoken to his former sparring partners before the Benn fight. He wouldn't just blink, he'd react like he'd been thumbed and ask the sparring partners "why did you thumb me?" in sparring sessions when he hadn't.

 

Exactly! Said it to missus when he said 'todays session was as **** as yesterdays' something like that he was blinking then. It was clear the problems were there.

 

I seem to recall Gerald had a medical problem pre-fight...

 

This is always an interesting read.

 

Gerald was a vicious offensive fighter who capitalised on being huge at the weight....like many have said, I admired the fighter not the man. Yet for all everyone shouts karma, what did benn do so bad to have to live with this for the rest of his days.... Gerald was a nasty ****er no doubt...I believe in karma...but this punishment of a life in a half lit limbo seems like something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy..... Nigel benn is my favourite fighter....this fight ruined him emotionally.... I will watch this tomorrow, I will shed a tear...I always do when I watch the fight in its entirety...everything I love about this game of ultimate consequence....and everything I hate....

 

Thanks for posting that Slip, I've never read that before. Interesting comments about McClellan's purse and Don King too.

 

No worries, mate. There's other similar sparring partner accounts too.

 

Good read that Slip it was something i notcied in the little sparring footage they showed Gerald had little tic's and exaggerated blinking of his eyes seemed to be one of them. So sad really the whole story is a whole lot of what ifs.

The fight really stands like a war memorial in a village green the fighters have long laid down their arms but the footage stands as a testament to what happened in boxing that night.

 

Cheers for posting again Slip.

I've read that before and it doesnt ring true to me.

Salmaci considered Gerald his friend, so much so that he was happy to cancel his contract with Don King yet he's never been to see him.

Dont sound right to me.