Steve Collins
Steve Collins | |
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Collins in 2010 | |
Statistics | |
Real name | Stephen Collins |
Nickname(s) | Celtic Warrior |
Rated at | Super Middleweight |
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
Nationality | Irish |
Born |
Cabra, Dublin, Ireland | 21 July 1964
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 39 |
Wins | 36 |
Wins by KO | 21 |
Losses | 3 |
Draws | 0 |
No contests | 0 |
Stephen Collins (born 21 July 1964, Cabra, Dublin, Ireland), more commonly known as Steve Collins, is an Irish professional boxer. Known as "The Celtic Warrior", Collins is the former WBO middleweight and super-middleweight champion.
Collins began his professional career in America, and lost two world title fights on points. It was not until Collins reached his 30's that he fulfilled his potential. Having competed against the best boxers on both sides of the Atlantic, Collins tends to be linked more to the era in the UK when there was a great rivalry between British boxers Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn. He fought and beat both, twice.
Early life
He was born the third of four sons in 1964. His uncle Jack O'Rourke was an Irish heavyweight champion in the 1960s and his father was a prize amateur fighter. Collins' first taste of the sport came with Corinthians Boxing Club in Dublin city centre. By the time he left Ireland at 21 he was an apprentice electrician at the Guinness Brewery.[1]
Professional career
The Boston Years
Steve Collins won 26 Irish titles as an amateur before turning professional in Massachusetts, U.S. in October 1986. Collins worked out of the Petronelli Brothers gym in Brockton, Massachusetts alongside Marvin Hagler. His debut fight was against Julio Mercado on the undercard of a bill that featured his future trainer Freddie Roach and the future Fight of the Year winner Micky Ward. Collins beat Mercado by way of knockout in the third round.
In Boston, Massachusetts in 1988, he defeated Sam Storey to win the Irish middleweight title, then defeated world #5, Kevin Watts. After reaching 16-0, Collins was outpointed by Mike McCallum over 12 rounds in a shot at the WBA middleweight title in Boston in 1990.
In 1992, Collins lost on points to Reggie Johnson in a battle for the vacant WBA middleweight title (which had been stripped from McCallum because he signed to fight IBF champion James Toney), and to Sumbu Kalambay for the European title in Italy, before beating Gerhard Botes of South Africa to win the WBC penta continental trinket in 1993.
WBO middleweight champion
Collins then moved to Belfast under the management of Barney Eastwood before basing himself in England where he joined Barry Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. Alongside him was Paul "Silky" Jones, his sparring partner and good friend who later went on to become WBO light-middleweight title holder. Collins was trained by Freddie King in the Romford training camp.
In 1994, he won a world title by defeating Chris Pyatt by stoppage in five rounds to become the WBO middleweight champion. The following year he relinquished this title without a defense, moving up to super-middleweight to challenge Chris Eubank for the WBO title after Eubank's scheduled opponent Ray Close withdrew after failing a brain scan.
WBO super-middleweight champion
Collins defeated the previously unbeaten long-reigning champion Chris Eubank in Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland in March 1995 to win the WBO super-middleweight title. Collins had enlisted the help of well known guru Tony Quinn, and they led the press to believe that Collins would be hypnotised for the fight. True to form, Collins sat in his corner and did not move, listening to headphones during Eubanks' ring entrance.
In the rematch, Collins set a fast pace and adopted wild, brawling tactics that Eubank struggled to deal with, and Collins again won a decision. He defended this title successfully seven times, including two fights against Nigel Benn (rtd4 and rtd6).
Collins was billed to defend against the up-and-coming Joe Calzaghe in October 1997, but withdrew at a late stage because of injury, had his title stripped, and unexpectedly retired. Eubank stepped in to take Collins' place in fighting Calzaghe for the vacant WBO title.
Collins reportedly stated in the press that he had no motivation left, as he had spent the best part of his career chasing Roy Jones Jr. for a unification fight that had been promised to him many times. Collins is reported to have stated in Boxing World that he had spent so long chasing Roy Jones Jr that money was no longer important; that he would "fight him in a phone box in front of two men and a dog". but the bout never materialised. A fight with Calzaghe would do nothing to satisfy the desire he had for fighting Jones. He then added he wanted to retire on a high note with a good pay day, "Joe is a good up-and-coming kid, but he wouldn't fill a parish church".
In 1999, he announced his decision to come out of retirement in order to fight Jones. Jones is said to have offered in excess of £3 million for the fight. Collins is said to have been suspicious regarding the money that Jones was offering and said to the papers that "for £3 million I would fight Mike Tyson."
Controversy surrounded the fight, as it was rumored that Collins would have to fight Calzaghe before a showdown with Jones. Collins had accepted this and started to prepare to fight Calzaghe. In his preparation training for the fight that was never to be, Collins collapsed during a sparring session with Howard Eastman. Although tests and a brain scan didn't find any problems, he decided that it was a warning to make him stop boxing, and he retired for a second time.[2]
Collins retired in 1997 with his then wife and children to the town of Bangor, County Down, with a record of: W 36 (21 KOs) – L 3.
Retirement
Steve has not entirely faded from the spotlight since his retirement. In 1998 he appeared in the film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (directed by Guy Ritchie) as a boxing gym bouncer.
In 1999, he made a cameo appearance in U2's video for "Sweetest Thing."
Collins featured in the British TV reality show Commando VIP that aired on Five. It put six celebrities through tough military-style challenges after being trained by three real commandos. He appeared alongside fellow ex-boxer Nigel Benn. Collins appeared on The Weakest Link Boxing Special. He was the sixth one voted off
He now lives in St Albans, England.
On 15 January 2013, at the age of 48, Collins announced plans to fight his long time nemesis Roy Jones, Jr. [3][4] and on October 5, at 49 years old, he appeared in a three round exhibition against former welterweight pro Frank Harrington.
Professional boxing record
36 Wins (21 KOs), 3 Losses [5] | |||||||
Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, Time |
Date | Location | Notes |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 36–3 | Craig Cummings | TKO | 3 (12), 1:17 |
1997–07–05 | Kelvin Hall, Glasgow | Retained WBO super-middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 35–3 | Frederic Seillier | TKO | 5 (12), 2:20 |
1997–02–08 | New London Arena, London, Greater London |
Retained WBO super-middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 34–3 | Nigel Benn | RTD | 6 (12) | 1996–11–09 | NYNEX Arena, Manchester, Greater Manchester |
Retained WBO super-middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 33–3 | Nigel Benn | RTD | 4 (12), ? |
1996–07–06 | NYNEX Arena, Manchester, Greater Manchester |
Retained WBO super-middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 32–3 | Neville Brown | TKO | 11 (12), 0:54 |
1996–03–09 | Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Munster |
Retained WBO super-middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 31–3 | Cornelius Carr | UD | 12 | 1995–11–25 | Point Theatre, Dublin, Leinster |
Retained WBO super-middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 30–3 | Chris Eubank | SD | 12 | 1995–09–09 | Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, Munster |
Retained WBO super-middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 29–3 | Chris Eubank | UD | 12 | 1995–03–18 | Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Munster |
Won WBO super-middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 28–3 | Chris Pyatt | TKO | 5 (12), 2:27 |
1994–05–11 | Ponds Forge, Sheffield, South Yorkshire |
Won WBO middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 27–3 | Paul Wesley | PTS | 8 | 1994–02–09 | International Centre, Brentwood, Essex |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 26–3 | Johnny Melfah | TKO | 4 (8), ? |
1994–01–22 | King's Hall, Belfast | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 25–3 | Wayne Ellis | KO | 9 (10), ? |
1993–11–30 | Cardiff, South Wales | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 24–3 | Gerhard Botes | TKO | 7 (12), ? |
1993–06–26 | Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, Greater London |
Won vacant WBA Penta-Continental middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 23–3 | Ian Strudwick | TKO | 7 (10), ? |
1993–02–20 | Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, Greater London |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 22–3 | Johnny Melfah | TKO | 3 (8), 2:48 |
1993–02–06 | Cardiff, South Wales | |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 21–3 | Sumbu Kalambay | PTS | 12 | 1992–10–22 | Verbania, Piedmont, Italy | For European middleweight title. |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 21–2 | Reggie Johnson | MD | 12 | 1992–04–22 | Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey |
For vacant WBA middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 21–1 | Dan Morgan | KO | 3 (?), ? |
1991–12–11 | Dublin, Leinster | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 20–1 | Jean-Noel Camara | KO | 3 (?), ? |
1991–05–25 | Brest, Brittany | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 19–1 | Kenny Snow | TKO | 3 (?), ? |
1991–05–11 | Maysfield Leisure Centre, Belfast |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 18–1 | Eddie Hall | UD | 10 | 1990–11–24 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 17–1 | Fermin Chirino | TKO | 6 (10), ? |
1990–08–16 | Sheraton Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts |
|
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 16–1 | Mike McCallum | UD | 12 | 1990–02–03 | Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts |
For WBA middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 16–0 | Roberto Rosiles | TKO | 9 (10), 0:52 |
1989–11–21 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 15–0 | Tony Thornton | MD | 12 | 1989–07–16 | Harrah's Marina Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey |
Retained USBA middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 14–0 | Kevin Watts | UD | 12 | 1989–05–09 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey |
Won USBA middleweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 13–0 | Paul McPeek | TKO | 9 (10), ? |
1989–02–07 | Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 12–0 | Jesse Lanton | UD | 8 | 1988–12–10 | Salem Boys Club, Salem, New Hampshire |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 11–0 | Muhammad Shabazz | TKO | 4 (10), ? |
1988–10–22 | Salem Boys Club, Salem, New Hampshire |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 10–0 | Michael Dale | UD | 8 | 1988–07–30 | Romuva Park, Brockton, Massachusetts |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 9–0 | Lester Yarbrough | UD | 10 | 1988–05–26 | Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 8–0 | Sam Storey | UD | 10 | 1988–03–18 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 7–0 | Bennie Sims | UD | 8 | 1987–12–09 | Harrah's Marina Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 6–0 | Mike Williams | UD | 6 | 1987–11–20 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 5–0 | Harold Souther | UD | 8 | 1987–10–29 | Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 4–0 | Richard Holmes | KO | 1 (?), ? |
1987–10–10 | Attleboro, Massachusetts | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 3–0 | Richard Holloway | KO | 2 (4), ? |
1986–12–20 | Strand Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 2–0 | Mike Bonislawski | UD | 4 | 1986–11–26 | Strand Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts |
|
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 1–0 | Julio Mercado | KO | 3 (4), 1:55 |
1986–10–24 | Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts |
Professional debut. |
Achievements | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Chris Pyatt |
WBO Middleweight Champion May 11, 1994 – March, 1995 (vacated) |
Succeeded by Lonnie Bradley |
Preceded by Chris Eubank |
WBO Super middleweight Champion March 18, 1995 – July 5, 1997 (retired) |
Succeeded by Joe Calzaghe |
References
- ↑ "Steve Collins". An Irishman Abroad (Podcast) (34 ed.). 13 May 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ↑ Independent article on retirement
- ↑ "Steve Collins coming out of retirement aged 48 to fight Roy Jones Jr". RTÉ News. 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Former world champion Collins to come out of retirement at 48 for grudge match with American ring legend Jones". Daily Mail (London). 16 January 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ↑ "Steve Collins boxing record". BoxRec.com.
External links
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Steve Collins |
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