The New York fighter retired in 1996 after beating Polish heavyweight Andrew Golota via disqualification in both of their bloody battles.

Bowe took severe punishment in both bouts, after which his speech was slurred and his actions visibly slowed.

Bowe is fondly remembered for his two epic showdowns with Evander Holyfield but a conviction for kidnapping his ex-wife and children saw him jailed for 17 months shortly after his retirement, despite claims by the defence that brain damage was to blame for his actions.

Bowe made a brief return last year, taking Marcus Rhode apart in two rounds in September, and he insists he is not too old or out-of-shape to return again.

“(Muhammad) Ali and (George) Foreman both fought into their 40s,” he said. “I’m just 37 years old and I’m physically and mentally strong, extremely hungry and very, very motivated to bring back excitement to what I consider the Holy Grail of boxing – the heavyweight champion of the world.

“In watching these heavyweights of today, not only am I more powerful and a better boxer, but the little that I have lost from my championship years is more than any of them possess today.”

Bowe’s California Boxing Licence has been granted after he passed every test required by the California State Athletic Commission.

“I appreciate the fairness and honourability the California Commission displayed in granting me my licence,” he said on www.secondsout.com.

Bowe takes on Utah’s Zumbrun (17-5-1) at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California