Evander Holyfield to come out of retirement aged 56 for fight in Japan after training in Andy Ruiz Jr’s camp

BOXING legend Evander Holyfield is set to make a shock return to the sport - at the age of 56.

Just weeks after British former world champion Nigel Benn announced he was making a comeback aged 55, Holyfield is preparing to do the same.

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However, it will not be a licensed bout, but an exhibition fight in Japan for charity - just like fellow Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather came back for in December 2018, destroying Tenshin Nasukawa.

Holyfield hasn’t fought in over eight years with his last bout a knockout win in May 7, 2011, over Brian Nielsen.

The American insists he has kept himself in top condition ahead of him lacing up the gloves.

Holyfield told TMZ Sports: “The big thing is to give people in Japan the opportunity to see the only four-time heavyweight champion of the world.

";It’s something for them and something for me.”

TRAINED WITH RUIZ JR

When asked if he still has that knockout power that stopped heavyweight greats such as Mike Tyson, Holyfield added: “I probably do but it’s a charity match and we’ll see.”

A date has not been set for the charity bout.

Holyfield has trained with the reigning WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr.

And "The Real Deal" says that he always knew the Mexican underdog would go on and be a champion one day and “surprise somebody.”

He said: “Of course, I knew, I said God, he going to surprise somebody, he have the abilities.

“He’s the first person I ever fought that I said I don’t think I ever want to fight him again.”

SunSport reported on Brit hero Benn's stunning return to the ring - with the unsettling news that he will have a brain scanner ringside.

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He has been out of the ring for 23 years - but on November 23 will take on fellow Aussie-based boxer Sakio Bika.

The Birmingham showdown - dubbed Closure - will have a brain scanner at ringside in a bid to allay fears over the brilliant veteran’s comeback.

Benn's last three fights ended in defeat, the final pair against Steve Collins in 1996 when he was stopped and then retired in round six.

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