The referee of the Steve Collins/Chris Eubank world super-middleweight championship in 1995 told the High Court yesterday he was approached twice before the fight and warned about Mr Collins's improper use of his head in the ring.
Mr Ron Lipton, referee, said both approaches were made by Mr Barry Hearn, the promoter of the Millstreet, Co Cork, contest.
Mr Hearn was then manager of both Mr Eubank and Mr Collins. Mr Lipton said he was not aware at the time that Mr Hearn was also Mr Collins's manager.
Mr Lipton was giving evidence on the 15th day of the action taken by Mr Hearn and his company, Matchroom Boxing Ltd, alleging breach of contract against Mr Collins, of Navan Road, Dublin. Mr Collins denies the claim.
A professional referee for the past 10 years and a New York policeman for the previous 20, Mr Lipton said he was relaxing in a Killarney hotel prior to the fight when approached by four or five men.
He said the men told him he was there for one purpose only and that Mr Eubank, and not Mr Collins, was the attraction.
Mr Lipton said he was appointed by the WBO to referee the Millstreet fight and Mr Hearn had never indicated to him that he was unfit to supervise it.
On January 2nd, 1994, he had refereed a fight between Eamon Loughran and Alisandro Duran for the world welterweight title in Belfast, Mr Lipton said. When the contest was nearing the end, he heard Mr Hearn shout to him to "stop the fight" because Duran had a cut.
He said he had interpreted the sending up of a doctor from the ringside as an attempt to influence him to stop the fight.
On the night before the Millstreet fight, he said Mr Hearn had approached him and put his arm around him. He said Mr Hearn said: "Tomorrow night, watch Steve Collins. He is a dirty fighter. Watch his use of the head." He had taken the remarks with a grain of salt.
On the night of the fight, he continued, Mr Hearn approached him again and said: "Keep an eye on Collins. Watch his head. He is a real pro."
Mr Justice O'Sullivan said it was only fair that Mr Hearn be allowed to return to the witness box and refer to this evidence.
Mr Lipton said that on the night of the Rules Committee meeting before the Millstreet fight, Mr Eubank wanted to call off the fight and fly home because of his fear of meeting a "hypnotised" Mr Collins. It was only at the 11th hour that he became aware the fight was still on. He had never received any complaints about his refereeing except from Mr Hearn after the Millstreet fight. Although he had refereed many professional boxing bouts since then: "They made sure I never worked for the WBO again." The atmosphere in the Millstreet arena was the most intense he had ever experienced, Mr Lipton said.
The hearing continues today.