Nigel Benn was refused a licence by the British Boxing Board of Control - but will still make a comeback at the age of 55.
The former two-weight world champion is expected to formally announce his return on Thursday, 23 years after he last fought.
Benn is expected to take on another former world champion in Sakio Bika, 40, who last fought two years ago.
He will do so under the auspices of the British and Irish Boxing Authority after the BBBoC turned him down.
The Board's general secretary Robert Smith told the Daily Telegraph : “We were approached by Nigel Benn a few months ago inquiring whether we would grant him a licence, but he was told that we would not consider it, given his age and how long he has been away from the sport.
"We will not be licensing this event, it will not be under our jurisdiction. That has not stopped Nigel being a guest at our annual awards dinner on Friday night, as he is a treasured member of the boxing community."
Fellow BIBA-licensed fighter Tommy Jacobs, who is set to fight on the undercard, told iFL TV: "Nigel Benn's having a comeback fight and he's boxing on November 23 at what used to be the NEC in Birmingham.
"I'm not allowed to say who Nigel Benn's opponent is, for obvious reasons."
Benn last fought in 1996, when he lost his world title rematch against Steve Collins.
His son Conor turned professional in 2016 and has a record of 15-0 at welterweight.
Benn Jr told World Boxing News last month: “It’s guaranteed he’s definitely fighting again. One hundred million percent, contracts have been signed.
“He’s been training since he retired but for the past two years training like an absolute nutter.
"Since I made my debut at the O2 four years ago, I think that’s when the feelings, the emotions come back as he was in the ring with me.
“There’s an opponent who has signed a contract. It’s a former WBC world champion and who fought only two years ago.
