If Eubank Won't Then Collins Will (Maybe)

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Nigel Benn Vs Steve Collins III



As I read a few weeks ago browsing the BBC Sports App I saw that Nigel Benn and Steve Collins had agreed to a rubber match scheduled for October/November 2017.

They last fought back in November 1996, the same night Evander Holyfield overcame all the odds and took the WBA heavyweight title from Mike Tyson in Las Vegas.

Benn looked a sad figure as he retired on his stool after seven rounds, then announced his retirement in the ring, for the third fight in a row. It looked like the epic battles he had throughout his career had caught up with him and his time in world-class boxing had faded.

Collins not only beat the Dark Destroyer twice he also held back-to-back wins over Chris Eubank. The Celtic Warrior hoped, like Benn did after his 1995 encounter with Gerald McClellan, that a fight with the great Roy Jones Jnr would be made. Two title defences later and the Jones fight still didn't materialise for Collins.

The Dubliner then had the prospect of taking on his mandatory challenger, Wales' unbeaten super-middleweight Joe Calzaghe. As Collins said he could only get motivated for a Jones contest, he decided to retire as WBO super-middleweight champion.

Even though he was retired the Irishman still coveted a shot at Jones. In 1999 one of the American TV networks suggested that to face Jones, Collins would need to face a credible opponent - Joe Calzaghe's name was mentioned, who too wanted a crack at Jones. So the winner of Calzaghe/Collins would face Jones for the light-heavyweight titles.

Collins went straight into training, but unfortunately collapsed during one of his sessions and his fight with Jones never happened. Benn too also wanted to come back, but according to the book War, Baby a CT scan showed he had a shadow on his brain, meaning his ring career was finally over too.

Fast forward to 2017, even though I'm a massive Nigel Benn fan I really do hope that this fight doesn't take place. Both men are in their fifties now and I fear for their safety. But money always talks and if the pair of them get it on I'd pick Benn, as he looks the fitter - especially watching him on the pads with Ricky Hatton.

The fight that would be more competitive, I believe, would be a third encounter with Chris Eubank. I was there for the rematch at Old Trafford and the atmosphere was electric, even though 'Judgement Day' didn't live up to their first match held at Birmingham's NEC Arena.

Hopefully, none of these fights will happen and the three men will enjoy the boxing careers of their sons.

All the best fight fans

Lea 


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