Thread: Why is Steve Collins not in the International Boxing Hall of Fame?

After amassing an 82-8 amateur record, Collins fought from 1986 through 1997 and retired with a 36-3 record. Amazingly, he book-ended his career with 16 wins at the start and 15 at the end–with a beginning and ending TKO as icing on the cake. The last nine were world title fights. Even more impressive is that this dominant iron-chinned Irishman retired as WBO Super Middleweight Title holder, something few champions ever accomplish.

Originally Posted by holmcall

After amassing an 82-8 amateur record, Collins fought from 1986 through 1997 and retired with a 36-3 record. Amazingly, he book-ended his career with 16 wins at the start and 15 at the end–with a beginning and ending TKO as icing on the cake. The last nine were world title fights. Even more impressive is that this dominant iron-chinned Irishman retired as WBO Super Middleweight Title holder, something few champions ever accomplish.

He could easily get in with his credentials and the only reason I posted those others was to show just how inconsistent the suits are who ultimately decide. Some of them probably work at flower shops.
There are all kinds of people with less credentials then Steve already in there. Today, all you seem to need is a belt for reasonable amount of time. Primo Canera is in there ffs.

Collins got beat by the top US fighters and so came to the UK and was lucky enough to face faded Eubanks and Benn.

Originally Posted by Master

Collins got beat by the top US fighters and so came to the UK and was lucky enough to face faded Eubanks and Benn.

He lost on points to Johnson barely, the body snatcher and Kalambay. Those three loses dont discount him my friend. He then went on to beat Eubank twice in 6 months and knockout Benn twice in 4 months and remained undefeated for the remainder of his career. There are guys in the hall with a lot more questionable records then him.

You jut dont like him cause he's Irish

Well pog mo thoin

Originally Posted by holmcall

Does the IBHOF have something against him? Also Benn and Eubank? I get Calzaghe of course, but come on, these guys deserve to be in there.

Steve Collins ? Get real

For what ? Beating a past it Eubank and Benn ? Yeah sure Eubank was only 29 when they fought but was an old 29 and as for Benn, well after McClellan, no fighter could ever be the same after that

Look. James Toney is not in the I.B.H.O.F nor is Hopkins or Roy Jones and are you seriously trying to tell me Collins was better than them ?

Maybe they'll all get in when they all finally decide to call it time once and for all, but Collins should not be in I.B.H.O.F, because to get in, it's not just about quality but it's about the drama, excitement you brought into the ring, that's why a guy Gatti is in

The only UK fighters from the last 50 years who have got in the I.B.H.O.F have been Lennox Lewis (And whether he was a UK fighter is another matter) Joe Calzaghe and Barry McGuigan

Do you really think Steve Collins deserves a seat alongside those ?

Don't forget Collins was schooled IN HIS PRIME by Reggie Johnson and Sumbu Kalambay ? "Who" I hear you say....yeah they were good fighters but to get in the I.B.H.O.F he has to be beaten them. Fair play, he also lost to Mike McCallum, no disgrace there

To me Collins has been dining out for the past 15 years, on his victories over faded Eubank and Benn

Originally Posted by denilson200

Originally Posted by holmcall

Does the IBHOF have something against him? Also Benn and Eubank? I get Calzaghe of course, but come on, these guys deserve to be in there.

Steve Collins ? Get real

For what ? Beating a past it Eubank and Benn ? Yeah sure Eubank was only 29 when they fought but was an old 29 and as for Benn, well after McClellan, no fighter could ever be the same after that

Look. James Toney is not in the I.B.H.O.F nor is Hopkins or Roy Jones and are you seriously trying to tell me Collins was better than them ?

Maybe they'll all get in when they all finally decide to call it time once and for all, but Collins should not be in I.B.H.O.F, because to get in, it's not just about quality but it's about the drama, excitement you brought into the ring, that's why a guy Gatti is in

The only UK fighters from the last 50 years who have got in the I.B.H.O.F have been Lennox Lewis (And whether he was a UK fighter is another matter) Joe Calzaghe and Barry McGuigan

Do you really think Steve Collins deserves a seat alongside those ?

Don't forget Collins was schooled IN HIS PRIME by Reggie Johnson and Sumbu Kalambay ? "Who" I hear you say....yeah they were good fighters but to get in the I.B.H.O.F he has to be beaten them. Fair play, he also lost to Mike McCallum, no disgrace there

To me Collins has been dining out for the past 15 years, on his victories over faded Eubank and Benn

Toney, Hopkins and Jones are not in because 5 years have not gone by yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After losing to the “Body Snatcher,” he won 5 straight before dropping a razor thin and controversial MD to Reggie Johnson (32-2-1) and a close UD to Sumbu Kalambay, 55-5-1, (a masterful defensive fighter and counter-puncher)- both in 1992. He rebounded by winning the WBA Penta-Continental Middleweight Title in 1993 by knocking out South African Gerhard Botes.

Finally, after relocating to England from Boston, Steve won the WBO Middleweight Title with a KO over the very capable Chris Pyatt (42-3) in 1994. He then would close out his career as he continued the aforementioned streak of wins. Incredibly during this run, he fought and beat flamboyant Chris Eubank twice in succession in 1995. Both fights were close and both were thrillers in front of roaring Irish fans. Eubank was 41-0-2 coming into their first fight.

Here are the two YouTube’s:

@holmcall stop copy and pasting crap. Pyatt was poor not capable at world level. The rest should read he got beat by the best fighters in the US and came to UK to try his luck. He got loads of luck and showed some heart and determination to make some money before retiring because Joe Calzaghe was going to tear him apart.

Originally Posted by Master

@holmcall stop copy and pasting crap. Pyatt was poor not capable at world level. The rest should read he got beat by the best fighters in the US and came to UK to try his luck. He got loads of luck and showed some heart and determination to make some money before retiring because Joe Calzaghe was going to tear him apart.

I dont think he feared Joe. It was simply time for him to hang them up. Look there are better fighters then him in the Hall and there are worse. The only thing consistent about the place is its inconsistency.
Based on observation, experience and repeatability Collins qualifies. If it was a Hall based on a singular interpretation of perfection then it might have 25 members.

Originally Posted by IamInuit

Originally Posted by Master

@holmcall stop copy and pasting crap. Pyatt was poor not capable at world level. The rest should read he got beat by the best fighters in the US and came to UK to try his luck. He got loads of luck and showed some heart and determination to make some money before retiring because Joe Calzaghe was going to tear him apart.

I dont think he feared Joe. It was simply time for him to hang them up. Look there are better fighters then him in the Hall and there are worse. The only thing consistent about the place is its inconsistency.
Based on observation, experience and repeatability Collins qualifies. If it was a Hall based on a singular interpretation of perfection then it might have 0 members.

This is more accurate.

Originally Posted by Hulk

Originally Posted by IamInuit

Originally Posted by Master

@holmcall stop copy and pasting crap. Pyatt was poor not capable at world level. The rest should read he got beat by the best fighters in the US and came to UK to try his luck. He got loads of luck and showed some heart and determination to make some money before retiring because Joe Calzaghe was going to tear him apart.

I dont think he feared Joe. It was simply time for him to hang them up. Look there are better fighters then him in the Hall and there are worse. The only thing consistent about the place is its inconsistency.
Based on observation, experience and repeatability Collins qualifies. If it was a Hall based on a singular interpretation of perfection then it might have 0 members.

This is more accurate.

lol well at least you caught the drift.

Originally Posted by Master

@holmcall stop copy and pasting crap. Pyatt was poor not capable at world level. The rest should read he got beat by the best fighters in the US and came to UK to try his luck. He got loads of luck and showed some heart and determination to make some money before retiring because Joe Calzaghe was going to tear him apart.

WTF!!!!!!!! I'm copying from an article I wrote only yesterday. Want the link. heh heh.

"He stopped Nigel Benn two times in a row—both times in Manchester. Benn was 42-3-1 at the time of the first duke. While admittedly, both Eubank and Benn were past their prime, what the Celtic Warrior accomplished has to be considered a remarkable feat given the stature of those two legendary British warriors and the especially the fact Collins was defending his crown.

"Collins, the quintessential professional, worked in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Northern Ireland, France, Italy, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey and, of course, in and around the Boston area. More to the point, he was an extremely tough, tenacious, and skilled fighter who took on the very best. Hopefully, the International Boxing Hall of Fame will no longer overlook this great warrior. In fact, one has to wonder why Eubank and Benn have been ignored by the Hall as well."

TAKEN IN PART FROM AN ARTICLE WRITTEN BY holmcall on June 13, 2014.

Collins was decent enough and competed with some of the best we had. I didn't see the Johnson fight all that close. Honestly the qualifications and merits of the Hall seem as blurry and subjective as 'p4p' rankings. I might be biased though as the Benn rematch had to one of the saddest moments I've seen in the ring as a fan, but hey.

For the sake of argument I'm taking a shot at Leonard.

Knew that Duran was whaling so he made the immediate rematch in 6 months.
Retired and then 3 years later got gloves, ring size and a rounds count against Hagler.
Gets the Wbc to invent a title and then he challenges Lalonde for his 175 title if Donny makes 168.
Fights Hearns after Tommy was begging for a rematch for close to 10 years and scams a draw.


I'm sick and tired of the daily shitting on people that walk the walk. I can cut down anyone. Even calling down guys like Bellew is getting on my nerves. These guys go all in for their families while the elite skip down the yellow-brick road.