Slimmed-down Steve Collins Jr plans to overpower Padraig McCrory

Half a stone lighter than he’s ever been in his adult life, Stevie Collins [14(4)-2(0)-1] is lean, mean and confident of overwhelming Padraig McCrory tonight in Belfast.

The Dubliner has dropped down to super middleweight and, to the surprise of many, seemed to comfortably make weight yesterday ahead of the Top Rank Féile an Phobail card at the Falls Park.

Having struggled badly to make light heavyweight, the fears were hardly far-flung but Collins looked strong on the scales and believes he will be able to bully McCrory into submission in his own back yard and pick up the BUI Celtic title.

“Usually I feel a bit weak making weight – but I have never felt better,” he informed Irish-Boxing.com ahead of taking to the scales.

“I had a dietician and nutritionist on board for this fight and I feel 100 percent.”

“Listen, I would make middleweight if I didn’t have an eating disorder, I swear to God,” Collins laughed.

Short, the former front row rugby forward is aware that he has been disadvantaging himself throughout his career and feels super middleweight is where he can really make a mark.

The Castleknock puncher outlined how “everyone I fight, they are massive at cruiserweight and big at light heavy. I am stout okay, but I am not overly tall. I am not even tall for a super middle!”

“Every coach of note I have talked to has told me to go to super middle and I never thought I could make it until I spoke to the nutritionist.”

“There is no point in fighting bigger lads when I can fight people my own size. I don’t say that as a cop out. I’d fight heavyweights if I had to, but it’s smarter to fight at a weight that suits you.”

Collins returns to the big Belfast bills for the first time since his turgid BUI Celtic light heavyweight title defeat to Steven Ward this time last year.

Now training with Pete Taylor, ‘The Wolfhound’ is adamant that he has the beating of bookies favourite McCrory [8(3)-0].

Collins explained how “I watched him a little at first and just said to myself ‘I’ll fucking take that all day’. I expect him to be in the ring that’s all. I am more focused on what I have to do than anything else.”

“He looks gaunt and thin and tall. I look full and strong. No one is stronger than me. You couldn’t find heavyweights stronger than me. I definitely be physically bigger and physically more imposing. I just won’t be as tall that’s all.”

“I am getting more confident as the days go on. I have had a good camp, short but good. I really trust my corner and that has given me great confidence going into the fight. I feel sharp and fast. I will make him fight. Like I always do. I’ll be there.”