Ben Collins: I had an off night, but my title dreams are still alive

Ben Collins…outpointed in Dudley. Picture: MSN Images'/BCB Promotions

BEN Collins – the Black Country light-heavy with a big following and big promoter – admits he has no explanation for the first loss on his pro record.

There are no obvious reasons for the points defeat to Poland’s Patryk Polasik. On the night Collins failed to fire on all cylinders and he’s baffled by that.

Struggling for answers, the Stourbridge 20-year-old can only put it down to “bad day at the office” syndrome.

“Sometimes you have an off night and get away with it,” he said. “I had an off night and didn’t get away with it.”

The setback on BCB’s July 19 Dudley Town Hall show was a major surprise. Headlining a show for the first time after two bouts, Collins lost by 39-38 over four rounds.

Polasik is tough, rugged and experienced – he gave Cannock prospect Ollie Cooper a hard six rounder last September, but beatable. He’s won four of 23 and mixed in good company.

Ominously, he outpointed another unbeaten boxer only days before the Dudley upset.

Collins, signed-up by Frank Warren, was expected to showcase his skills against Polasik. It didn’t happen – and Ben doesn’t know why.

The fighter who carries the ring-name “Pumpkin” is still bruised by the loss. It is, he stressed, only a bump on the road to major titles. The grand plans have been pushed back a little, that’s all.

Collins believes he did enough to win and suffered a perforated eardrum in the first round. He sportingly admitted, however, that on the night his performance was nowhere near good enough.

“It was probably one of my worst,” he said, “yet in the gym it was probably the best I’ve looked. Even if I’d won, I would’ve said I didn’t perform.

“I never got my flow, I was never really there. I thought I was in control of the fight and so did the corner, even though I was nowhere near my best. I felt I was controlling him, but not the way I usually do. The fourth round I came alive, got to him and shook him up a bit.

“No excuses, I didn’t turn up on the day – that was all that happened. I’m gutted, anyone would be.”

Collins insisted he will still “get there”. It will simply take a little longer.

“It’s all part of the journey,” he said. “I had losses and knock-backs in my amateur career. It’s altered the plans a little bit, but things happen for a reason and we will regroup as a team. It’s not ideal but it’s another part of my story, nothing changes.”

Collins, who runs a gym with his father, had hoped to appear on one of Warren’s major shows after the Dudley date.  That has been pushed back.

“I think I’ll go on Errol’s (manager Errol Johnson’s) show for three or four fights and then look at the options. I have age on my side. I’ve spoken to Errol, my family and sponsors and everyone has the same belief. Errol said it’s all part of the journey.

“Tyler Denny (European middleweight champ) told me he had two draws early in his career and look where he is now. It’s a small hiccup on the road, the dream is the same as it always was.”

Collins would love to put the record straight by fighting Polasik again.

“If it was a six rounder I believe I would’ve taken over and got the win. The fact is I knew it was a four rounder and had to be busier. I would love the rematch.”