‘Celtic Warrior’ Collins’ plan to fight old enemy finally KO’d

Steve Collins’ proposed bout with Roy Jones Jnr won’t now be happening, according to the Cabra man’s brother and current Athlone Town soccer manager Roddy.

Rumours surfaced at the start of the year that the former WBO super-middleweight champion was in negotiations for a tilt at a fighter he failed to set up a bout with during a career that ended 16 years ago. Indeed the suggestions seemed to gather momentum with a summer date in Nottingham being mentioned behind the scenes, with Collins back in training and a documentary team following his progress.

However, speaking with the Irish Examiner, Roddy Collins said of the fight: “No, no, that’s never going to happen, that’s off.”

Back in 1999, when the American was the world’s best boxer and having just knocked out Richard Frazier in two, Collins climbed through the ropes and challenged him to a fight, before suggesting “he ran like a girl”.

And earlier this year, a throwaway comment led to the two talking by phone and going so far as to agree a split in money.

Even medical problems looked set to be bypassed despite Collins’ age and time out of the ring and despite Jones suffering from ear problems that have affected his balance in a career that has dragged on so long he’s now no more than a journeyman. In fact sources suggest with administrators in both England and Ireland reluctant to sanction the fight, the Maltese Boxing Board of Control were willing to step in despite the obvious dangers.

“That won’t be now needed though,” added Roddy Collins yesterday.

“Yeah, they did talk and maybe it was a possibility briefly. After all, it was all that was left for Steve and it’s in his blood to fight and he had always wanted that shot.

“But it’s dead and buried and I’m happy with that. It’s best to leave it be because Steve will always be the champ and at 48, it’s a non-starter.”