BENN MUST BE STOPPED

FRANK WARREN has urged anyone who cares about Nigel Benn to put a stop to his comeback.

The 55-year-old former two-weight world champion is set to announce a return to the ring today, 23 years after his last fight against Steve Collins in November 1996.

But Warren, who promoted many of Benn’s fights, has called on the ‘Dark Destroyer’ (inset) to shelve his plans for an unlicensed bout.

“Anyone who cares about him should discourage him from doing it,” said Warren. “I don’t know if he is doing it for financial reasons but, whatever reason, he shouldn’t be doing it.

“I don’t want him to do it. I have a lot of love for him. I promoted the start of his career and he finished his career with me. Men of 55 should not be fighting, especially when they’ve been out of the ring for 23 years.

“I hope he is not doing it for financial reasons. It can’t be good for his health.

“He is well loved by the British public, he is one of the boxing icons of the 1980s and 1990s. It’s sad that he is doing this.

“This cannot, under any circumstances, be good for his health, even if he fights some old geezer who is going to fall on the floor.”

Benn is expected to reveal today a return to the ring on November 23 at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, where it is understood he will face another former world champion.

But he will not be granted a licence by the British Boxing Board of Control who advised him not to apply, a clear message any application would be refused.