ITV to screen Nigel Benn v Gerald McClellan documentary

December 2, 2011   ·   5 Comments

ITV1 are to screen a documentary about the 1995 world title fight boxing match between Nigel Benn and Gerald McClellan, which ended in such tragic circumstances that it has never been broadcast since.

British paratrooper-turned-boxer Benn faced rising American star McClennan, one of the hardest punchers in boxing history, in a match which changed their lives forever. The brutal and controversial fight left McClellan seriously injured and Benn mentally scarred. The programme features fresh allegations and further twists as well as the emotional reunion of the two fighters after years of bitterness.

The Fight of Their Lives is a story of human courage, the search for the truth and for redemption. It is a story that stretches far beyond the ropes of the boxing ring. Now, 16 years later, ITV has unlocked its archive to allow the incredible story of that savage night to be told in full.

A brutal, controversial fight would leave one man mentally scarred, the other seriously injured and the Benn and McClellan camps at war for more than a decade.  Benn was knocked down twice but recovered to achieve the most dramatic victory of his career – perhaps of any boxer’s career.

The fight has never been shown on TV since and controversy over what happened that night persists today. The stories of the accused, talking for the first time, make for emotional viewing. Unseen footage throws new light on the story.

Featuring fresh allegations, further twists and the emotional reunion of the two fighters after years of bitterness, The Fight of Their Lives is an unforgettable story that stretches far beyond the ropes of the boxing ring. In 2007 Benn and McClellan were reunited, an incredible moment captured for The Fight of Their Lives.  The reunion was meant to bring closure. However, there have been fresh allegations, further twists and new discoveries made since then.

Boxing legends and A-list witnesses Barry McGuigan, Jim Watt, Frank Bruno and Manny Steward contribute their own powerful testimonies.

Interweaving past and present, the amazing narrative of a hidden sporting classic, the emotional testimonies of the accused and the incredible stories of two men, this promises to be compelling viewing on ITV1.

The Fight of Their Lives is on Monday 5 December at 10.35pm on ITV1, with an extended 90-minute version on Tuesday 13 December at 9pm on ITV4.

Tags: Gerald McClellan, ITV Sport, ITV1, Nigel Benn, The Fight of Their Lives