Big Benn to chime one last time

Veteran seeking closure in November at the age of 55

VETERAN: Nigel Benn

FORMER WBC & WBO world champion Nigel Benn will return to the ring one last time for closure.

The pugilist known in his heyday as ‘Dark Destroyer’ will fight one last time on November 23 at Resorts World Arena, located in the National Exhibition Centre, Perimeter Rd, Birmingham.

Benn will face former WBC super middleweight world champion Sakio Bika who is 15 years his junior.

Benn, one of the most destructive boxers to enter a ring, revealed the motivation behind his comeback at the age of 55.

“This one is for me and has been many years in the making. My return to the ring is an itch I need to scratch,” he confessed.

“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.

“It is eight weeks until I return to the ring, and I am only a couple of kilograms off weight. I feel strong and looking forward to stepping in the ring for the last time in November.

“Looking back at my career I feel I cheated myself. Even though I accomplished so much, I was walking on the dark side; cheating, taking recreational drugs at parties and smoking weed.

“Starting at eight years old, I smoked cigarettes throughout my entire career! Towards the end of my career my life was out of control. When I hit my lowest point, I attempted to take my own life.

“By reconnecting with my faith, I have made the changes needed and now live a blessed life in Australia with my beautiful wife Carolyne and three of my eight wonderful kids.

“I want my return to the ring to demonstrate to anyone who is struggling that no matter how low you feel and no matter how bad things get there is always hope, there are people that can help you and you can always make the change to be a better version of yourself.” 

Bika is one of the toughest boxers of the last two decades. In his 20 year career, Sakio has never been stopped and has taken undefeated boxing legends Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward the distance giving them the hardest night of their lives.

Benn said of his opponent: “I respect Sakio immensely, he is a true warrior and did not want to take an easy option. He has shared the ring with some of the great world champions of recent years. He will come to fight and will not take a backward step. It will be a war.” 

The event will be broadcast globally upon the Epicentre.TV broadcast platform on Nigel’s own channel: WWW.Epicentre.TV/Nigel-Benn

Comments Form

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*
*

Support The Voice

The Voice Newspaper is committed to celebrating black excellence, campaigning for positive change and informing the black community on important issues. Your financial contributions are essential to protect the future of the publication as we strive to help raise the profile of the black communities across the UK. Any size donation is welcome and we thank you for your continued support.

Support Sign-up