STEVE COLLINS is still uncertain about who will be the next challenger for his World Boxing Organisation super middleweight title. An announcement was expected today, but a press conference which was expected to confirm his opponent as the reigning European champion Frederic Sellier of France was cancelled without explanation yesterday

It is thought that some "minor contractual" matters have still to be sorted out and that confirmation of the match will be forthcoming within 48 hours. The bout has been fixed for Millstreet in Cork, where Collins dethroned the then champion, Chris Eubank, in spectacular fashion last March.

It is expected that Barney Eastwood will institute legal action against the British Boxing Board of Control some time this week to try to force the board to restore Ray Close's licence. Close was to have challenged Eubank for a third time, about this time last year, but a flaw detected in his brain scan resulted in his British licence being withdrawn.

Subsequently, Close underwent further scans which gave him the all clear, and he was given a licence to box by the Boxing Union of Ireland. The BBBC is still adamant, however, that Close will not be allowed to box in Britain.

There is some reason to believe that the BBBC is miffed by what it sees as interference in its affairs by the BUI, but that still leaves Close in something of a limbo. Although he can fight under the BUI banner, Collins has expressed some reservations about a possible bout with Close, with both the world and Irish titles at stake.

If the fight could be put together, it would be the first time that two native born Irishmen fought for a world title.