Former middleweight and super middleweight world titlist Nigel Benn officially announced Thursday at a news conference in London that he will return to the ring at age 55 on Nov. 23 at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England.
Benn (42-5-1, 35 KOs), a British legend, is coming back after 23 years in retirement to face former super middleweight titlist Sakio Bika (34-7-3, 22 KOs), who is 40 and coming off a two-year layoff, in a 10-round light heavyweight bout.
Benn hasn’t boxed since 1996 and three consecutive losses in super middleweight title bouts. The British Boxing Board of Control wouldn’t license Benn so the fight will be regulated by the little-known British and Irish Boxing Authority.
“My return to the ring is an itch I need to scratch,” Benn said. “I feel fitter, stronger and more focused than at any time in my career. Age is nothing but a number. I still have good movement, quick hands and a good whack. I have been training for five years ahead of this event, the last two years intensively and as an elite athlete ahead of the fight.”
