text: Former super middleweight champion Nigel Benn is back in the ring and the 51-year-old, dubbed the ‘Dark Destroyer’, has certainly still got what it takes. Ilford-born Benn, who now lives in Australia and works as a charity worker, looked as sharp as ever as he joined in a playful pad session with Ricky Hatton at his Manchester gym. Benn landed a series of punches, including one that saw Hatton's glove fly off, as he put the 36-year-old through his paces following his return to England. Earlier this week, Hatton and Benn met up to discuss the possibility of the ‘Hitman' training Conor Benn, Nigel’s son, ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Former super middleweight champion Nigel Benn takes on Ricky Hatton on his return to the ring . The 51-year-old Dark Destroyer does a spot of pad work with the Hitman at his Manchester gym . Ilford-born Benn shows he still has what it takes as he moves Hatton around the ring in Manchester . Former boxer Benn joins in a playful pads session in the ring with Hatton at his Manchester gym . Hatton watches on as Benn prepares his latest assault during some pad work at the Manchester gym . Benn secured 22 straight knockouts in just over two years as a professional and impressed on the pads . Hatton is now a boxing trainer and could train Conor when he arrives in Britain in June. The younger Benn will have to go some way before he manages to surpass the accomplishments of his Dad, though, a man remembered as one of the top 10 British boxers of all time. Benn secured 22 straight knockouts in just over two years as a professional and didn't taste defeat till he came up against the underrated Michael Watson. That rare taste of defeat led to the boxer taking a gamble on life in America and he quickly won the WBO middleweight title after stopping Doug De Witt in a brutal encounter. Benn stopped Iran Barkley in just one round in a title defending performance that shocked the world in his next bout as people began to discuss just how far he could go. Barkley had been in the ring with the likes of Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns, but there was more to come from Benn as he returned to Britain to fight Chris Eubank. The bout against Eubank was a fight that well and truly grabbed the attentions of the British public as both fighters went hell for leather as soon as the bell went. Benn knocked Eubank to the canvas during that fight, the first time Eubank had ever been sent to ground during his career. However, Eubank came back to defeat Benn in the ninth to capture the WBO belt again before Benn went on to win his next 10 fights. Boxer Chris Eubank keeps his cool as Benn confronts him ahead of one of their bouts . Benn crouches low as he looks to avoid the powerful punch of Eubank during their bout in Birmingham . He recaptured the WBC middleweight title against Mauro Galvano and defended the belt three times before he was able to face Eubank in the ring again. That re-match was one of the biggest boxing events ever staged in Britain and was watched by almost 50,000 fans at Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium. But there was to be no separating the pair as the fight ended in a draw. However, many fans ringside believed Benn was the victor of the fight and therefore both boxers kept their respective belts. Eubank and Benn look face to face following their fight as members of both sides look on in the ring .
target: Nigel Benn and Ricky Hatton returned to the ring for a spot of pad work .
  The 'Dark Destroyer' shows he still has what it takes with a series of hits .
  He returned from Australia to meet up with Hatton at his Manchester gym .
  Benn is hoping Hatton will train his son ahead of 2016 Olympic campaign .