BIG BENN
Nigel Benn set to face Sakio Bika in November comeback bout in Birmingham
NIGEL BENN is set to confirm he is returning to boxing at the age of 55 - by taking on another former world champion in November.
Benn has not fought for 23 years since losing two bruising clashes with Steve Collins in 1996.
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But the ex-middleweight and super-middleweight world champion is now pressing ahead with his plans to make a comeback, with a date already pencilled in.
The say the Dark Destroyer, who now lives in Australia, is planning to hold a press conference next week when he will formally announce his comeback.
And November 23 at Birmingham's Resorts World Arena is the date and venue for the amazing return.
The identity of his opponent is still unknown, the the story suggests an insider saying it will be against a 40-year-old former WBC world champion.
That means Cameroonian-Australian Sakio Bika is the man in the frame, who was WBC super-middleweight champion until 2014.
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Bika is 15 years younger than Benn and still thought to be in top shape - having last fought for the world light-heavyweight title just four years ago.
Benn has been itching to make a ring return for years, and has been repeatedly seen working out and in great condition.
He spent three years trying to set up a mouth-watering third fight with Chris Eubank, only for his old rival to finally decide against making a deal.
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It is also understood talks took place with Irish star Collins without success while Roy Jones Jr was another potential opponent.
The British Boxing Board of Control have reservations about sanctioning the bout, but it is thought that the British and Irish Boxing Authority will happily give it a licence.
The fight is likely to be contested at light-heavyweight, with Benn initially saying it will be a one-off return over 12 rounds.
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