Bouncer says ex-boxer challenged him to fight

A BOUNCER, who claims former boxing world champion Steve Collins assaulted him after he refused him entry into the National Stadium…

A BOUNCER, who claims former boxing world champion Steve Collins assaulted him after he refused him entry into the National Stadium, has said the boxer challenged him to a private fight later that night.

Adriatik Vodo gave evidence in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that Collins drove at him in a green Audi car when he was standing at a door north of the stadium and asked him to “jump in my car and you and me will finish this tonight”.

Mr Collins (44), St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, has pleaded not guilty to assaulting the bouncer on June 3rd, 2006.

Mr Vodo (39), who is from Albania, said he was working on the door letting media and VIPs into the stadium. He was told by his employer Seán Jordan that he was “not to allow anyone who did not have a pass in”. When Mr Collins approached him, he asked to see his pass and Mr Collins asked him if he knew his name. “I didn’t know who he was,” Mr Vodo said.

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He showed the jury how he held his right arm at the door and his left arm stretched out to block Mr Collins from gaining entry.

He said he radioed his employer Mr Jordan to come to the door and said Collins told him if he did not move in two seconds he would break the bouncer’s head: “I will put your teeth in the floor and then you will know my name.”

Mr Vodo denied pushing or lunging at Mr Collins before receiving the punch or striking him with his arm.

The trial continues.