shot-button
Olympic 2024 Olympic 2024
Home > Sports News > Other Sports News > Article > British boxer Nigel Benn loses his brother to coronavirus

British boxer Nigel Benn loses his brother to coronavirus

Updated on: 07 April,2020 08:33 AM IST  |  London
AFP |

"It's serious!" Yarde wrote on social media. "People are still going out when they don't need to. I know there's a lot of opinions about Covid-19 and I have mine but I just know opinions ain't worth risking your life and others. Just stay home."

British boxer Nigel Benn loses his brother to coronavirus

Nigel Benn

British boxing great Nigel Benn revealed on Instagram one of his brothers Mark has died of coronavirus. The 56-year-old -- former world champion at two weights -- said Mark had been the "Joker" of the family. It came as the number of UK coronavirus-related deaths climbed by 621 to 4,934 and infections rose by 5,903 to 47,806. "My brother Mark passed Away 2day (Covid 19), as we all were growing up Mark was the Joker of the Benn house hold," he wrote."


"May he Rest In Peace love u Mark.'" Benn -- whose 23-year-old son Conor is a promising pugilist with an unblemished record -- was one of seven boys but lost his older brother Andy when he fell out of a window aged just eight. Benn was dubbed the 'Dark Destroyer' for his aggressive style and enjoyed a fierce rivalry with compatriots Chris Eubank and Michael Watson. Benn was WBO middleweight title in 1990 and then went on to become WBC super-middleweight champion holding the belt between 1992 and 1996 -- losing his crown to South African Thulani Malinga.


He retired from the ring in 1996 after twice failing to wrest the WBO super-middleweight title from Irishman Stephen Collins. Benn is not the first from the sport in Britain to lose a relative due to the coronavirus. The grandmother and father of British light-heavyweight Anthony Yarde died within a few days of each other. The 28-year-old made an emotional appeal to the public to "just stay home" to avoid the risk of spreading the virus. "It's serious!" Yarde wrote on social media. "People are still going out when they don't need to. I know there's a lot of opinions about Covid-19 and I have mine but I just know opinions ain't worth risking your life and others. Just stay home."


Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK