NIGEL BENN has revealed his dad had to talk him out of taking revenge following the brutal murder of his brother Andy.

Benn was born in Ilford, London but older brother Andy had been brought from Barbados to England for a better life.

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Nigel Benn’s dad talked him out of taking revenge following the murder of his brother AndyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
But he sadly passed away at the age of 17 – when Benn was only eight – in what was ruled an accidental death.

Benn, though, told Clubhouse Boxing: “He was just a little boy.

“He was pushed through a window, cut his groin, bled to death in a field on his own, brutally murdered. That little boy was taken away from his family.”

Benn – who also lost brother Mark during the Covid pandemic in 2020 – said the harrowing death left him numb to feelings and led him to smoke cannabis from the age of 12.

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He eventually enlisted into the army at the age of 18, serving for four years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Benn was stationed in West Germany and Northern Ireland – and also began boxing during his time of the force.

He eventually left the British Army to pursue boxing full time – where he was earning enough money to plot redemption for his brother.

But Benn, reformed from his time in the military, said: “They’re lucky I went the way I did, I could easily have changed and gone the other way.

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There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!

It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.

Tyson Fury is expected to make his return, Conor Benn is closing in on a world title shot and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.

Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.

Derek Chisora could fight for the 50th and final time and Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.

A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.

Up first we have a massive fight with Stateside superstars Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez meeting later this month in Madison Square Garden.

Here’s all the big fights coming up…

January

Sat 24 – Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz – IBF lightweight title – DAZN
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Sat 14 – Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace – WBA super-featherweight title – DAZN
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“Especially with the money I was earning. I could have taken those people out. No two ways about it.

“But I didn’t because of my dad. My dad said don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Benn – a world champion in two weights – instead took his anger out in the ring having never been able to overcome the tragic loss.

He said: “Everyone thinks everything was great when I was boxing but it wasn’t. I was suffering with childhood trauma.

“I didn’t even know what childhood trauma was at the time but it took over my life.

“I tried going to my mum and dad when I was younger but they were broken.

With the money I was earning. I could have taken those people out. No two ways about it. “But I didn’t because of my dad.

Nigel Benn

“They brought their son over from Barbados to give him a better life, to live in England and he ends up dead.”

Benn had legendary fights with the likes of Michael Watson, Chris Eubank and Steve Collins – retiring after his 1996 rematch loss to the Irishman.

But after walking away from the sport, Benn found himself battling depression which led to a suicide attempt in 1999.

The British boxing great overcame his mental battle and moved to Majorca in 2002 – where he found God.

Benn and his family – including boxing star son Conor – then moved to Australia after move than a decade in Spain.

It is where Conor learnt to box, before he moved back to England at 19 to turn professional.

‘He needed me then, he doesn’t now’

After a couple of rocky years, Conor settled into his career and last year fought Chris Eubank’s son Jr twice – over 30 years after their dads’ fights.

Eubank Jr won the first bout in April before Conor dominated in the November rematch to even the score.

Benn was a constant presence in his son’s boxing corner – but that will now come to an end.

He said: “I helped him get to the point he is now. He needed me then, he doesn’t now.

“I need to focus on my other children and help them after years of focusing on Conor.”

Benn – who has seven children – revealed his son Levi is a fledgling footballer whose had trials in France and wants to play for Liverpool.

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Conor has two children who Benn grandfathers, son Eli Clay and daughter Idony Susanna.

Benn also celebrates being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame – pipping old rival Eubank Sr to the honour.
Nigel Benn with his son Conor