A High Court judge yesterday asked to see the management expenses charged to the boxer Chris Eubank by the British promoter Mr Barry Hearn over the same period for which Mr Hearn had sought a £200,000 expenses bill from the Dublin boxer Steve Collins. Mr Stephen James Dawson, financial director of Mr Hearn's company, Matchroom Boxing Limited, told Mr Justice O'Sullivan it would be difficult to assess the expenses sought.
But he would endeavour to compile Mr Eubank's management expenses for the 18 months before the Millstreet fight between the British boxer and Mr Collins.
Yesterday was the seventh day of the action, in which Mr Hearn and his company are suing Mr Collins for alleged breach of a management agreement. Mr Collins, of Pine House, Navan Road, Dublin, denies the claim.
Mr Hearn claims Mr Collins entered negotiations with a rival promoter, Mr Frank Warren, after his win over Mr Eubank in Millstreet in March 1995, and later signed an agreement with him.
Yesterday Mr John Wischhusen, senior co-ordinator of boxing and travelling affairs with Matchroom Boxing Ltd, said he was responsible for boxers' accommodation and other needs.
Mr Collins had never complained to him about his travel arrangements or accommodation, the witness said.
There was one occasion before his flight to San Francisco in February 1995 when Mr Collins had asked to be transferred out of his economy class seat. Mr Wischhusen said he understood the media wanted to speak to Mr Collins at that time about an alleged racist remark made by him about Mr Eubank.
He believed Mr Collins had probably sought a change in his flight arrangements to get away from the media.
The Irish boxer had never complained to him about his hotel before his Millstreet fight or about the condition of his dressingroom. At that time he made numerous attempts to speak to Mr Collins but was unable to do so.
Asked by Mr Colm Allen SC, for Mr Collins, whether a happy boxer, content with his manager and satisfied with all that was being done for him, would flee to Las Vegas without his trainer, remain there virtually incommunicado and go to Millstreet again remaining incommunicado, Mr Wischhusen said some boxers liked to get away from it all before a fight and he could respect such an approach.
A boxing trainer, Mr Freddie King, said he became Mr Collins's trainer soon after the boxer had come to Mr Hearn for discussions on the future of his career.
He had admired Mr Collins as a boxer but told him that if he was going to become a world champion, he would have to listen to his advice. Mr Collins was absolutely fantastic, putting his whole soul into the plan devised for his future, Mr King said.
Mr Collins, who knew boxing, was one of the nicest people, Mr King said. He had been dissatisfied with his boxing career up to then.
In reconstructing Mr Collins's career, Mr King said he had to be careful in choosing his opponents. This was not because Mr Collins might not win but because he had to look good in defeating them.
Mr Collins is expected to give evidence towards the end of this week or early next week. The hearing continues today.