BAD FRENCH REFEREE IN UK NEARLY KILLED “THE G-MAN”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — One of the real dangers in cutting weight for a boxing match is that it reduces a vital fluid that essentially surrounds and protects the brain. For a couple to a few years, losing lots of weight and fast in Detroit was something ex-middleweight champion, Gerald McClellan, did better than most. At least for a while. Once a Kronk fighter until a “Money Beef“ erupted and separated Gerald from the Kronk Gym Godfather, Emanuel Steward.
BAD REFEREE “SHOULD’VE BEEN CHECKED” BY CORNER!
The “Decision to Leave Emanuel” would play a part in Gerald fighting the “Dark Destroyer“ Nigel Benn in London as “The G Man“ was ascending from 160 lbs. where he crippled John “The Beast” Mugabi once and Julian Jackson twice to meet WBC super middleweight (168) Nigel Benn. The fight started out well for McClellan who “knocked Nigel Benn out of the ring” 30 seconds into the fight.
I’M USING THE WORD “HAD” TWICE HERE!
Had #1: the French referee Afred Asaro counted to 20 AND, most importantly, NOT allowed Benn’s cornermen to aide Benn in his getting back in the ring, the fight would have been over! Had #2: if it were Emanuel that night with Gerald, Steward said, “I would have cut off his gloves. The fight was over. The referee either choked or he was giving Nigel a pass.” In the 9th round of a fight that should’ve been over in less than one round, Gerald McClellan collapsed!
GERALD MCCLELLAN “BLIND SINCE BENN FIGHT”
A native of Rockport, IL, I last saw Gerald McClellan circa 2004 at a “Fund Raiser” for Gerald and then crippled but now deceased heavyweight champion Greg Page. Propped up and sitting in a wheelchair Gerald grabs me pulls me close and says, “Pedro, is Emanuel coming?”
PEDRO UNSURE HOW TO ANSWER “EMANUEL” QUESTION!
Telling “The G Man” that “Emanuel couldn’t make it” was an incredibly difficult four words to say! Now 58 years old, Gerald has been taken care of by his sister Lisa & “props” to the Mauricio Sulaiman’s WBC as they have covered Gerald’s Medical bills. In the 9th round of a fight that should’ve been over in less than 1 round, Gerald McClellan collapsed and almost died! Since the Benn fight, Gerald is both Paralyzed & Blind!
RICHIE SANDOVAL ALMOST WENT LIKE JOHNNY OWEN
In a 1986 defense of the WBA 118 lb. (bantamweight) crown, champion Richie Sandoval (29-1, 17 KOs) had “Extreme Weight Issues“ leading up to a clash with Gaby Canizales. Looking frail and broken at the weigh in and only 23, Richie was “Stopped & Carried Unconscious” from the Caesar’s Palace outdoor ring on a stretcher. Lucky to have survived & with his career over, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum gave Richie a job he held until passing in 2024 at 63.
SCREAMING AT JOHNNY OWEN-LUPE PINTOR TV SCREEN!
Britain’s Johnny “Methyl Matchstick” Owen was probably the “skinniest guy” I’ve ever seen box. Having made 118 lb. for a WBC title tilt with Lupe Pintor, Owen was “Beaten to Death“ mainly because HIS corner did NOT CARE. Round after round, Johnny was getting beaten on. Word was that Owens came down from around 140 lbs. to make 118. Unlike Richie who recovered enough to function in normal life, Johnny Owen didn’t wake up the next day!
IS CONOR BENN A “DEAD MAN WALKING” AT 147 LBS?
People aren’t talking about who’s going to win or lose as it almost a foregone conclusion that 2-1 betting favorite “King Ry” will be victorious over the “Weight Drained” Englishman. For Benn this is NOT a fight. No, it’s more like “Dieting for Dollars“ and in this case, millions of them!
PEDRO COULD USE & APPRECIATE YOUR HELP?
When I quit writing in 2012, we were doing 12 to 15,000 hits a week! IN 2026, this page is growing “Painfully Slow” and I’m wondering if YOU CAN put THIS & OTHER articles up on YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES? Respectful Thanks in Advance!
OH & PLEASE PASS MY SUBSTACK LINK AROUND
While I’m working on a NEW Website, this is the link to my Substack page. Since March 2026 we’ve put forth 140 or so articles here.
https://substack.com/@pedrofernandez393511
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is a multi-award winning writer whose career in Journalism has taken him to 34 countries. He is also a former San Francisco Policeman who was Muhammad Ali’s “Executive Protection” and “Publicist” on a number of international junkets. Pedro also attained a National Ranking in amateur boxing and along the way snagged 4 Golden Gloves championships.