Bill-topper Steve Collins targets scalps not straps

Steve Collins Jr [9(4)-0-1] looks set to challenge for his first belt when he tops his first bill in Dublin on November 5th.

The BUI Celtic Nations trinket will most likely be on offer when he takes on a to-be-confirmed Welsh opponent on the Red Corner debut fight card.

The strap, fought over eight rounds, will help ‘The Wolf’s’ domestic ranking, and qualify him for an Irish title, but the Celtic Warrior Gym fighter claims he is more interested in scalps than straps.

“They have a Welsh opponent in for me and he represents a step up. It is meant to be for the Celtic Nations title, but I am not overly into titles at the minute. I want scalps!”

“I know I have not finished learning yet and hopefully over the next 18 months I will get the that done,” he told Irish-boxing.com before expressing his delight at topping a Dublin bill.

“It’s a great venue and it is always great to fight in front of your home crowd. I am really looking forward to it.”

Collins Jr’s last four fight have been in America and he returns to the East Coast to fight on an October 15th card before his Dublin dalliance.

Collins has also stopped four of his last five foes, and reflecting on his most recent shortcut to victory, he claimed he has increased his technique rather than any power.

The 26 year old described how “I always had confidence in my power. I always felt like I could hurt people even in sparring and I had the power to hurt people and stop them getting in the ring.”

“The difference is with my timing and technique. It’s not just about being strong and carrying a punch you need to have technique and the skill set to land the right shots. I think that is were the stoppages are coming from.”

“It is always good to get a stoppage win. The crowd love it and it keeps people entertained. Hopefully they all go that way and I get them out of there!

That said, Collins, who did not lace up a pair of gloves until he was in his twenties, stressed that he wants to show off his rapidly developing skills. He noted how “I am happy to get the knockout, but I don’t want to be known just as big puncher I want people to see my skill level and technique.”