As World Boxing News revealed on Friday, bookmakers released odds on a potential Nigel Benn vs. Sakio Bika fight in November.
Paddy Power and Betfair decided to open the fight for bets despite no official announcement from Team Benn.
WBN confirmed that Benn was returning to action at the ripe old age of 55. In conjunction with their son Conor, a comeback was ratified after more than two decades.
Benn will don the gloves again in Birmingham on November 23 to give the sport one more go.
The clash will be over ten rounds, and it is not an easy comeback for Benn, no matter who is in the opposite corner.
Nigel Benn vs Sakio Bika
Fractions on ‘The Dark Destroyer’ causing what would be a considerable upset have now been squeezed out further.
Opening at 3/1, Benn is now 4/1 for victory. Bika, who is 15 years Benn’s junior, has moved drastically from 2/9 to 1/6 on.
Punters had been snapping oddsmakers hands off at the original price, leading to a swift rethink by the betting companies.
At the new price of 4/1, fans of Benn may fancy a flutter, though, primarily upon releasing a training video.
Even in his mid-50s, Benn looks in tremendous shape and seems a handful for any fighter who is no longer operating at a high class.
The proof will be in the pudding on fight night, but you cannot fault Benn’s commitment to the task at hand.
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Along with well-wishers for his attempt, there have also been detractors.
Some are criticizing the decision to license Benn to fight and worry that his long-term health is at risk.
Taking to social media, the comments were made clear.
One said: “Seeing these Benn-Bika stories, I still don’t believe it. We’ve heard all this comeback talk before.
“Who is going to license a 55-year-old? He has been out of the ring for over two decades to get beat down by Sakio Bika?
“It sounds ridiculous because it is ridiculous.”
Another added: “I just read that the BBBoC has refused to grant Benn a license. It’s been issued by British & Irish boxing authorities but isn’t recognized by BBBoC.
“It shouldn’t be happening through an unnecessary risk.”
A press conference is due to outline more on the fight next week.
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