Collins v Abid - it’s a Christmas cracker!
Tommy Collins…biggest test by far. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB Promotions
BLACK Friday – the Christmas consumer orgy – has gone.
Now Birmingham shoppers should brace themselves for Blue Friday as Birmingham City fans gather in the city centre for their fight hero Tommy Collins’ first title tilt.
Tomorrow the Eastside Rooms will be turned into a noisy corner of St Andrew’s as Tommy Gun bids to take the vacant Midlands light-welter (super-lightweight) title on BCB Promotions’ final bill of the year.
Many I’ve spoken to believe it’s a done deal: Collins, a 26-year-old with huge support, will make it a Blues party. And they’ll raise the rafters as he notches-up his 11th straight. The Eastside Rooms will be a lonely, hostile place for opponent Sajid Abid from Derby.
It is far from a formality for Collins. This is a true, finely balanced 50-50 battle and Tommy’s toughest test to date by some way.
And I’ve spoken to those within the pro game who believe the expected Blue Sky will be very overcast when the final bell tolls.
The point to the fact Tommy, a former fine amateur, has been inactive for a year, has faced journeyman and twice been dropped.
Abid, aged 30, has travelled the championship, 10 round distance three times and his two losses in a 16 bout career have come against very good men. Denis Denikajev outpointed him for the English title, Rodrigo Caraballo – a big punching Venezuelan – stopped him in two in Jeddah.
What’s more, Abid is well travelled. He won’t be intimidated by the wall of sound that hits him tomorrow night.
As he put it: “I’ve been in hostile environments. It doesn’t faze me. It’s just me and him in the ring, whatever happens, happens in that ring. I have a very good ability to selectively listen – I won’t hear the noise.”
Sajid Abid…”statistically, it does look like Tommy has jumped the gun.”
And Abid is talking a very good fight. He told me: “Experience is a major thing and I’ve done the championship distance three times. I have respect for every fighter, but with my experience and what I’ve come through, the ball is in my court. I’ve been through it – I’ve faced journeymen, I’ve faced prospects.
“From a statistical point of view, it does look like he’s jumped the gun, if you’ll excuse the pun. But his team believe in him and he believes in himself.”
Collins and his father Dean are adamant Abid is facing something no man can beat – destiny. Tommy, says dad, has yet to hit top gear as a pro – this one will bring the best out of him.
In an interview when the contest was announced, Tommy said: “The plan is to win this one and go on a push.
“The dream has always been starting on small hall shows, then TV fights for British, European and world titles. We’re doing it the traditional way – go from the Midlands title, to the English to the British.
“It’s destiny. There’s a plan written for me.”
He added: “I think the break has done me the world of good – I’m really excited, I’m full of energy. I’m a gym rat. People talk about camps, but my whole life is a camp.”
I’d feel a lot more confident if Collins had squeezed-in a warm-up bout. He’s chosen to jump in at the deep end and should be applauded for that.
The outcome has divided fans, but one thing is beyond doubt: this is a very big fight for Birmingham, an exceptional small hall pairing. BCB are stepping into Christmas with a cracker.