ULSTER'S Ray Close yesterday claimed WBO super middleweight champion Steve Collins will have nowhere to hide - once he has beaten number one contender Juan Carlos Giminez.
Belfast's Close is set to face Giminez in a final eliminator within the next two months, and a win would set up a clash with Dubliner Collins - a fight he has been chasing for two years.
Close looked likely to have to put his ambitions permanently on hold, following a British Boxing Board of Control decision to suspend his licence after he failed a CT scan.
But he has since passed MRI brain scans in Dublin, Utah and Chicago, subsequently chalking up five wins in America.
Former European champion Close said: "This is the big break I have been waiting for. Once I beat Giminez, Steve is next. He can't hide forever.
"When he got the chance of fighting Chris Eubank in 1995 after my licence was taken away Steve promised me a title shot - but he has broken his promise and refuses to box me.
"Once I win the eliminator, he must face me. He says he's the best in the world, but he hasn't proved he's the best in Ireland - I am still the Irish champion."
Close's American promoter Michael Joyce, who secured the deal with Giminez said: "I have no doubt Ray will beat Giminez - then Collins will be ordered to meet Ray within 90 days.
"Frank Warren, Steve's promoter, tried to get Dean Francis the fight with Giminez, but we beat him to the punch.
"Close-Giminez has to happen within the next six to eight weeks, and then the pressure will be on Collins."
Close's coach John Breen, who once trained Collins, believes the Ulsterman has the knowledge to outfox the experienced 32-year-old, who defends his WBO crown against Chicago's Craig Cummings on July 5th in Glasgow.
Breen said: "Steve knows that we know everything about him, and Ray will simply have too much skill for him."
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