CRUISERWEIGHT John "Buster" Keaton is taking part one of the most bizarre matches in Sheffield boxing history.
The South Yorkshire brawler is coming out of retirement to accept an invitation to box a 52-year-old Nigerian, Bash Ali, in Lagos at the end of this month.
Keaton says he does "not expect to win - especially if it goes to points" against his 80-fight opponent and admits: "The heat will be a killer."
But he says he is taking on the challenge on to revive his career, which flagged when he lost to Mark Hobson, in a British title defeat at Sheffield Arena in September 2007.
Stradbroke-based Keaton explained: "I had retired after that and ballooned to 17 stone; then suddenly we got a call from Nigeria.
"I didn't fancy it at first. I still don't. It will be a volatile environment. But I'm a bloke who has never feared to tread where others won't go.
"I've fought in front of football hooligans in the back of beyond in Poland, South Africa, Canada and half of Europe.
"The difference is that when this guy was born, God was a lad.
"When he turned professional 30 years ago I was six!
"Having said that ,he is a former WBF and African champion, is used to the overwhelming heat and will have a lot of fans screaming him on," added Keaton, who says the contest "isn't that much of a pay-day".
He added: "I'd be wary of knocking him out in that environment but if I win on points I'll eat my shoe. So what can I do?
"Me and my bodyguard (trainer Dominic Ingle) will just get a sense of what it's all about when we get there and see what's going on."
Keaton's handler, John Ingle, says, when Keaton has completed the mission, he hopes to arrange a local match-up with Chesterfield's Mark Krence.
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