The Dublin boxer Steve Collins never said "thank you" to a London trainer who alleged he had helped Mr Collins win the world super-middleweight title from Chris Eubank in 1995, it was claimed in the High Court yesterday.
The trainer, Mr Freddie King, said he had trained Mr Collins to win the title from Eubank in Millstreet, Co Cork, on March 18th, 1995. He said the Dublin boxer never said thank you or expressed any gratitude to him afterwards.
Mr King said he was hurt because, as Mr Collins's trainer, he had helped him achieve what other people regarded as impossible - the defeat of a man who many regarded at that time as unbeatable.
Giving evidence in the action by British promoter, Mr Barry Hearn, and his company, Matchroom Boxing Ltd, against Mr Collins for alleged breach of contract - an allegation denied by Mr Collins - Mr King said he noticed a change in Mr Collins's attitude towards him on the night of the fight in Millstreet.
He said that evening the boxer came to the dressing rooms with hypnotist, Mr Tony Quinn. Earlier, he had tried to telephone him but although he had a code number to get through to Mr Collins, he was unable to reach him.
After the fight, he wanted to see Mr Collins and congratulate him but could not do so. It was "very odd". He just couldn't understand what was happening. He could not think what he might have done. He was enraged and wanted to know why.
Afterwards, he had phoned Mr Collins a number of times but could only contact an answering machine. Mr Collins never returned any of his calls. Later, he heard the boxer had done a deal with somebody else.
The Irishman was at the pinnacle of his boxing career but, as his trainer, Mr King said he did not get a chance to appreciate it. After beating Eubank, Mr Collins could virtually name his own price.
Mr King said in the period before the fight, Mr Collins was happy and made no complaints to him. The boxer had even said that he had the best trainer ever and the best management. It was roller-coaster time for Mr Collins. It was unbelievable.
He said Mr Collins never gave an explanation for not returning his calls or for going to a second boxing manager, Mr Frank Warren.
During cross-examination by Mr Eoin McCullough, for Mr Collins, Mr King said it was in the general interest of Matchroom Boxing that Eubank should keep winning his fights during his World Tour programme. If he had to lose, he would have preferred it to be to Mr Collins, who was also one of promoter, Mr Hearn's fighters.
Describing Mr Collins as a brilliant fighter, he said he would have made a lot more had he stayed with Mr Hearn and Matchroom. The only time he saw him complain was when the boxer saw a picture of Eubank and another boxer beside that of Mr Hearn in Mr Hearn's office. He felt he should be up there too.
Mr King said he had spoken to Mr Collins after the Millstreet fight but not as a friend. The boxer had called him seeking a favour. He said Mr Collins wanted him to train his brother while he [Mr Collins] was with another trainer.
Answering Mr Justice O'Sullivan, Mr King said that, although it was rare, it had happened that the same trainer was responsible for the two boxers engaged in the same fight. When this happened, the trainer would temporarily withdraw and temporary trainers would step in.
Where this had happened in relation to one manager having two boxers in the same fight, he could not think of any manager who had stepped back.
Recalled as a witness, Mr Stephen James Dawson, financial director of Mr Hearn's company, Matchroom Boxing Ltd, produced figures which showed that Eubank's expenses for the 27month period up to March 1995 had come to £181,000.
Evidence for Mr Hearn is expected to conclude today.