Nigel Benn, the former world super-middleweight champion, said yesterday that despite wanting to fight Steve Collins - who has also retired - he would bow to his family's wishes and not return to the ring.

The 33-year-old former British soldier, nicknamed the `Dark Destroyer', last fought 14 months ago and had engaged his former trainer to get him fit.

However, after witnessing his family's distress at the reports that he would consider fighting Collins, who beat him twice and then also retired last October while he was the reigning champion, Benn abandoned all thoughts of doing that.

"This morning on TV they were saying I'm making my comeback and I watched my wife break down and cry. My mum rang me up and said I was on Teletext," Benn said yesterday.

"At the end of the day, there are new kids on the block like the present champion, Joe Calzaghe, and I've had a good run. Boxers are the last person to know when it's time to call it a day.

"I'm not leaving my kids again. I'm going to stay there, watch them grow, play around with them, change nappies and give them their bottles."

Benn's former manager, Peter DeFreitas, was also convinced that his return would not be a good idea. "I think it is best if he leaves it as it is, but, of course, it is his decision," DeFreitas said.

"Nigel and I had a solid, seven-year working relationship and he is one of the greatest ever. He has nothing to prove and doesn't need the money," he added.

Benn had earlier hinted at a possible clash with another veteran, Chris Eubank, the pair having met twice before in epic encounters. "Of course, everyone will talk about a third fight with Eubank. First I want to get back and then see how it goes," Benn had said.