Collins is gunning for glory in 2023
A WARNING to Edgbaston’s H Suite – the establishment is set to be hit by a blue tidal wave.
That’s because Tommy “Gun” Collins looks for his eight straight pro win at the venue on March 23.
And where the Northfield light-welter goes, a legion of Birmingham City fans follow.
Collins, a former outstanding amateur, has emerged as one of the city’s biggest ticketsellers.
Dad Dean, who also serves as trainer, said: “He loves Birmingham City and follows them home and away.”
As a result, the 24-year-old’s fights have become noisy, Bluenose carnivals. To date, supporters are certainly getting their money’s worth.
And 2023 is set to become quite a year for them: Tommy will surely fight for a Midlands title at the least. The kind of support he enjoys may also earn him a place on a major televised show.
Tommy, who last fought in September, outpointing Georgi Velichkov, has fast hands and the kind of footwork Fred Astaire would marvel at.
He is hitting harder with each contest, Dean insists – and showed the power with a spectacular one punch KO of Chris Adaway. That first round right-hander was one of the shots of the year.
“I always knew the power was there,” said Dean, “but it’s skills that pay the bills.”
Collins had a solid grounding from his amateur career. Under Tom Chaney at Hall Green Boxing Club, he notched-up 66 victories from 76 bouts.
He won 17 area titles and was a national finalist in the 2016 England Youth tournament. Tommy also representing his country at youth level.
He said: “Now it’s fight number eight, so all I want to do is to get to 8-0, put in a masterclass and give ‘Tommy Gun’s Barmy Army’ something to shout about again.
“My pro career has gone so fast and that’s even with the time off for the pandemic. If it hadn’t been for that, I’d have been 12-0 or 13-0 and been in for a title by now.
“I’d jump at a title tomorrow, if it was down to me, but I leave those decisions to my team. We are looking around to see what opportunities are out there, though.”
Of the Adaway demolition, he said: “It was an explosive first round and it was good to demonstrate what I’m capable of doing. It was a bit of a statement, because I rate Chris.
“I got my jab going quickly and then ‘wallop’ (overhand right) and he was out. I was worried, because it was a heavy knockdown but, thankfully, he was OK.
“It was great to get a stoppage, but I’ll still be looking to box. It’s about hitting and not getting hit. If the chance of a knockout is there, I’ll take it, but the win is most important.”