One half of British boxing’s greatest-ever rivalry was born on this day, 53 years ago.

Nigel Benn will forever be associated with the eccentric Chris Eubank. The pair took part in two brutal, absorbing bouts against each other in 1990 and 1993.

These contests transfixed a nation, as the pair’s clear loathing of each other and supreme talents led to two classic fights.

Benn – nicknamed the ‘Dark Destroyer’ – served in the British Army before making the switch to professional boxing. His formidable punching power and sheer aggression led him to the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and WBC super-middleweight belt two years later.

His first strap was lost to Eubank in their opening contest by TKO, while the heralded rematch three years later ended in a draw. Such contests will never be forgotten in the United Kingdom.

Other sports stars born on this day: 

1973: Rogerio Ceni, football’s highest-scoring goalkeeper with 131 goals for Sao Paulo from 1992-2015 (44).

1977: Hidetoshi Nakata, iconic Japan midfielder who won Serie A while at Roma in 2000/01 (40).

1978: Chone Figgins, former MLB third baseman and outfielder who was a 2009 All-Star for the Angels (39).

1987: Ray Rice, ex-Baltimore Ravens running back who has been without a team since 2013 assault charge (30).