Tommy: I’m close to an English title shot
Tommy Collins…fights at the Bescot, Walsall, on Friday
TOMMY “Gun” Collins is in a brilliant frame of mind ahead of his final fight of the year on BCB’s show this Friday at the Bescot Stadium in Walsall.
The 25-year-old from Northfield has racked up an excellent nine wins from nine and in his last bout made the jump up to the eight-round distance when he faced Poland’s Marian Wesolowski. Fighting in Birmingham in front of a packed crowd he put on a clinical display, taking a whitewash points win 80-72.
Getting his hand lifted by referee Ryan Churchill shouldn’t have come as a surprise for the well-schooled Collins who has a solid grounding from his amateur career under Tom Chaney at Hall Green Boxing Club, racking up 66 victories from 76 bouts.
He won 17 area titles and was a national finalist in the 2016 England Youth tournament, also representing his country at that level.
Turning to the paid ranks in 2019, the pandemic forced the then 2-0 Collins to sit it out for over a year until he made his return in unusual circumstances at the Sheffield Arena car park. He made the step up to six rounds against Des Newton soon after and has kept active with his large support giving him headline billing.
It hasn’t been completely smooth sailing. Tommy had a tougher than expected test against Eduardo Valverde in March, when he was forced to climb off the canvas in the opening round.
He said: “It was great to get in my first eight rounder. I have always said, even before my debut, that the longer distance suited my style a lot more and I was comfortable. Weirdly, the time seemed to fly by. When my corner said it was the last round I was surprised as it felt like I had a couple more to go.
“My fitness is one of my big strengths and I know with the longer the fights it will be a factor that will work in my favour.
“I didn’t really have a break since Wesolowski or felt like I needed one, so I stayed in camp ready for whatever the next fight was going to be.
“There was talk of a title fight for this one, so I wanted to be in the best condition possible, but it hasn’t quite worked out. This gives me a chance to get more rounds in ahead of what I am hoping will be an English title shot next year.
“Sometimes it feels like I repeat myself in the build up to fights, but that’s because I am in such a good place and nothing’s really changed. Sparring has been on point - some people say I over-spar, but it’s always worked for me and I have been in with some quality boxers in the build up to this one. I train two to three times a day and I have a lot of experienced coaches around me.
“It’s a good show to be on, my first time boxing in Walsall at the Bescot and there’s plenty of local talent on the bill. My supporters will enjoy those fights and then make plenty of noise for me.”
*Tickets for the show at the Bescot Stadium are available now priced £40 standard and £75 VIP Ringside from the boxers directly or by emailing ticketing@bcb-promotions.com.