The Case for Steve Collins in the Hall of Fame

[holmcall]

Since “The Celtic Warrior” (as Collins was known) is forever linked with the great Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, there is a need to look back at his compelling body of work as well.

Collins fought from 1986 thorough 1997 and retired with a 36-3 record. What most fans don't realize is that he won his last 15 fights in a row, 11 by stoppage. Even more impressive is that this iron-chinned Irishman from Dublin retired as WBO Super Middleweight Title holder, something very few champions ever accomplish.

Among his early victims were Sam Storey (for the Irish Middleweight Title), rugged Tony "The Fighting Postman" Thornton and Kevin "Killer" Watts (for the USBA Middleweight Title.) His first loss was against future Hall of Fame inductee Mike McCallum in 1990 for the WBA Middleweight Title. It was one that I saw live at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston; in fact, I saw Collins fight many times as he did most of his early work in the Boston area. After losing to the "Body Snatcher," he won 5 straight before dropping a razor thin and controversial MD to Reggie Johnson and a close UD to Sumbu Kalambay 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 then close out his career as he continued the aforementioned streak of wins. Incredibly during this run, he fought and beat Chris Eubank twice in succession in 1995. Eubank was 41-0-2 coming into their first fight. A year later, he stopped Nigel Benn two times in a row. Benn was 42-3-1 at the time of the first duke. While admittedly, both opponents were past their prime, what the Celtic Warrior accomplished has to be considered a remarkable feat given the stature of those two legendary Brits and the fact Collins was defending his crown.

Amazingly, he had 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.
Collins, the quintessential professional, toiled 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, iron-chinned, tenacious, and skilled fighter who took on the very best.

Hopefully, the International Boxing Hall of Fame will no longer overlook this reat warrior.

[HattonTheHammer]

Fantastic fighter that just didnt know the meaning of the word quit

Everytime eubank or benn seemed to be gaining the initiative back he came

Would loved to of seen him in with prime eubank, benn, watson, mcclellan

[Violent Demise]

Collins in the Hall of Fame?

[Dark Lord Al]

Collins in the Hall of Fame?

I have to agree with VD , Collins was a good honest pro , lost to McCallum , Kalambay , Johnson , then outworked a weight drained Eubank and beat a washed up Nigel Benn .
The door to the Hall of Fame is firmly SHUT , you cant come in Mr Collins im sorry.

[doublehook2]

holmcall, admittedly, I don't know much about Collins, but you certainly make a great case for him being in the hall of fame.

[berry]

Collins took Benn's best left hooks without blinking an eyelid - that's what will always stand out most about him for me.

He had many v.tough one's earlier on, against Tony Thornton (very nearly lost his ear!), Reggie Johnson (who hit him with absolutely everything), and McCallum (soaked up his bodyshots and came back stronger..!).

What a hard man, and what an awkward style he came up with from the Eubank II fight through the Benn fights - arguably the messiest, most unskilled (yet highly effective) swarming style we'll see.

A true throwback.

[berry]

Saw him on Lock Stock lastnight on ITV1

[berry]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0EBzBsrstk




(oh yeah can't say I agree with his own claims that he was lb4lb the best fighter and would definitely of beaten Hagler and Roy Jones etc... but still...)

[JazMerkin]

Great chin, but not a Hall of Famer in any shape or form, not when you look at some of the guys still to get in.

[skel1983]

Pavlik v Collins who wins?

[Dark Lord Al]

Pavlik v Collins who wins?

Pavlik , Collins is way to old lol

[BIG H]

Pavlik v Collins who wins?

Nice fight. I see Collins 'out toughing' him and winning a decision

[Dark Lord Al]

Pavlik v Collins who wins?

Nice fight. I see Collins 'out toughing' him and winning a decision

I pretty much agree with this , and i think it would have made a nice fight.

[Drago]

no i am sorry he aint allowed in, benn was finished when he fought him, eubank should of won both fights but always held something back after the watkins fight & collins was into all that hypnotising stuff tryin to mess with eubanks fragile mind regarding watkins fight. collins pulled outta a fight with calzaghe as well dunno why? collins never fought RJJ either so no chance of collins entering hall of fame in my opinion.

[holmcall]

holmcall, admittedly, I don't know much about Collins, but you certainly make a great case for him being in the hall of fame.

Thanks, Hook.