Nigel Benn's boxer son Conor revealed his dad ignored his desperate pleas to pull the plug on a remarkable ring return at the age of 55.
Benn will fight for the first time in 23 years when he takes on fellow former world champion Sakio Bika in Birmingham on November 23.
The Londoner has not taken a punch since his second defeat by Steve Collins in 1996 but insists he has passed a battery of stringent medical tests.
But he was denied a licence by the British Boxing Board of Control and will instead fight under the auspices of the British and Irish Boxing Authority which was founded just three years ago.
And his 22-year-old son, who has won each of his own 15 professional fights, admitted his dad's comeback makes his stomach churn.
"He’s been training like a nutter for as long as I can remember," he said. "I should have noticed that he was going to fight again but I can’t really believe it; it's crazy, it's madness.
"It's a real concern for me as his son because I know what it's like getting hit and it's horrible. There's nothing pleasant about it, who wants to see their dad get hit in the face?
"I've said what I’ve had to say. I said, 'Dad, I really don’t want you to do this', but he’s still going to do it so I’ve got to respect his decision."
Benn, who will train alongside his son for the next two months, insists his return is not financially motivated.
The former two-weight world champion suffered with depression and battled a sex addiction during his 48-fight career.
He became a born-again Christian after a failed suicide attempt and moved to Australia having sold his vast collection of belts.
And he claims only another fight will give him the sense of calm he craves.
"I had a lot of issues in my life that I never dealt with," said Benn, who has ditched his 'Dark Destroyer' nickname in favour of 'Benjamin Button'.
"I cheated on my wife for 16 years and I was dealing with depression.
"Then Jesus came and my life changed; no spliffs, no sex, no ecstacy, no cigarettes. Everything changed, but I just need that one more fight."
"I'm looking forward to the peace I'll get after this fight; I think that's what everyone really wants, peace in their life."
