Collins must win handsome to retain credibility

THE HARSH realities of professional boxing make grim reading at times and never more so than in recent years when there have been several tragedies inn the ring, or directly connected with the game, which have focussed attention upon it from people who know little of its, attractions or, indeed, the reasons why otherwise caring people are drawn to its raw intensity.

There has never been a boxing supporter who has paid to watch a fight who wanted either boxer to be seriously hurt. But that, nevertheless, is what if is all about seeking to hurt your opponent.

In an ideal world tonight's World Boxing Organisation super middleweight title bout between Dubliner Stephen Collins and Neville Brown from Burton on Trent would not be taking place but we have a long way to go before the abolition of boxing reaches the top of the agenda for realisation of an ideal world.

What attracts the boxers themselves and those who pay to watch has never been fully explained or understood. The fact is, that there is something in the human condition which revels in the stark challenge of one man against another in equal combat.

For Collins in recent times every contest has been a war. He has had the experience of fighting twice for the world title and losing. Similarly a challenge for the European title ended in failure.

There was a time when it seemed that the risks he had taken and the determination with which he had pursued his vision in such a single minded way might end in obscurity.

Then just over a year ago his former amateur international team mate and friend. Ray Close, got a third chance of taking away Chris Eubank's WBO title. A brain scan, however, showed up a minor flaw and Close's permission to fight Eubank was withdrawn. For Close it was a huge disappointment but for Collins it represented an opportunity.

Eubank had been reluctant to meet Collins but then he agreed to do so and in an Irish setting. Belfast was not attractive Dublin seemed too expensive and, surprisingly, the promoters were finally lured to Millstreet and another chapter in Irish boxing history was written.

Eubank came and didn't like what he saw when Collins announced that he was using the services of a hypnotist, Tony Quinn, to psyche him up for the fight.

Eubank cried foul and in doing so fell into the trap which had been set for him. As things worked out Collins took Eubank's title away from him and then challenged him to a rematch which took place in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. In spite of one very dodgy judging decision, Collins confirmed his mental and physical superiority and forced Eubank into retirement from which he has not, so far anyhow, reemerged.

In the space of nine months Collins had upset all the odds in the WBO super middleweight division. Following Nigel Benn's defeat in the WBC division last Saturday night Collins is now in a very strong position to dictate terms and makes no secret of the fact that he wishes to do so.

Never a man for false, or even real modesty, Collins says he will take on the lot of them in all divisions, including Benn, his conqueror Sugar Boy Malinga from South Africa, or Roy Jones of the United States or his compatriot Frank Liles.

Malinga now holds the WBC title, Jones is the IBF champion and Liles has the WBA title. Collins insists that he is capable of taking on all three in a series of bouts which would make the winner the undisputed champion of the world. The likelihood of that happening is rather remote but if beckons alluringly.

In the meantime Collins must make no mistakes. He must beat Brown handsomely tonight to retain his credibility as someone who could unite as many as four different championships. A poor performance however, not to mention defeat, would relegate Collins to the status of an also ran in any attempt to unify the titles.

With the arrogance born of hard times faced and conquered Collins says Brown has no chance.

If confidence counts for anything Collins is, surely, the winner. Yet Brendan Ingle, Brown's trainer from Ringsend and a member of a famous Irish boxing family, has a warning for his fellow Dubliner Boxing can be mean. Steve is a good and worthy champion. But champions can always be beaten and that's the way it is going to be. Stephen beat Eubank against the odds. Eubank was too cocky. Now Stephen is making the same mistake as Eubank."

It was a sincere and timely warning but one cannot see Brown being the one to halt Colins.

Collins, 31, has had 34 fights. He won 31 and lost three. Thirty year old Brown's record is boxed 32, won 29 and also lost three.