Collins broke Benn's heart

BRENDAN INGLE has no worries about the spiritual and physical health of boxing. On the contrary, he believes the changes taking place in Europe, Africa and Asia will also bring major changes in the structure of the sport.

"I keep telling people here in England that they have to get rid of their colonial attitude before they can claim back sports they invented like football, cricket and boxing.

"It doesn't make me very popular but I don't mind that. All the barriers are breaking down and if people aren't aware of the changes they will be left behind."

He rejects any bias for his native Dublin in singling out. Steve Collins's performances in 1996 as one of the highlights of the year. "Look, there are many people who are critical of Nigel Benn in their two fights this year. Whatever about the first one I can tell you that Benn put £100,000 on himself to win the second fight. He told me himself.

"He went out to bully Steve in the early rounds and Steve wouldn't budge. Benn hit him with everything he had and Steve kept coming on. The corner stopped the fight because they knew Benn was going to get knocked out and maybe even hurt. It was a wise move. A man's health is worth more than £100,000.

"The thing about Collins is that you have to nail him to the floor to lick him. Benn hit him on the chin and it didn't have the slightest effect. Steve broke his heart. Benn knew he was getting nowhere. Collins's performances must rate as the best this side of the Atlantic."

After that he suggests the victory of his own protege, Prince Naseem Hamed, over Manuel Madina from Mexico in The Point last August as another superb performance.

After that he rated Evander Holyfield's defeat of Mike Tyson as the most significant result of the year.

He doesn't write off Tyson, however: "I believe that with the right people around him and if he can get into the right frame of mind he can regain the title. There's a lot of money to be made in that division still."

But he returns with enthusiasm to the subject of Steve Collins. "He has certainly done it his way. I know it is hard to please Dubliners. They can be very critical of their own. Steve went to the States and he roughed it and toughed it. I take my hat off to him. He deserves everything he has won and I know he isn't finished yet," he said.