“It’s nothing to be ashamed of” – Steve Collins backs Cummings to bounce back

Former WBO middleweight World champion Steve Collins has backed Conrad Cummings [10(4)-1(0)-1] to bounce back from his dubious defeat last night to Ronny Mittag.

The Tyrone 160lber lost to the experienced German via split decision at the Wembley Arena, although the vast majority of onlookers had Cummings clearly winning a competitive contest.

Dubliner Collins, Ireland’s first ever two-weight World champ, was impressed with what he saw from Cummings in London and believes that the loss on his record is a mere minor issue.

The Celtic Warrior told Irish-Boxing.com that “it was a great performance, and he’s definitely one for the future. He was up against a guy with a lot more experience than him, he stepped up a level and matched him.”

“I know there were a few things there that he wasn’t doing. in the second half of the fight he moved his head a bit more and started throwing body shots, and he showed his potential.”

With regards to the scoring of the IBF Inter-Continental title fight (Cummings 96:94, Mittag 96:94 x2), Collins admitted that “it was a great match, a very even match. I thought Conrad did enough to win, I was a bit surprised. If they had given him the draw I would have maybe accepted it, but I thought he did enough to win.”

“I wanted Conrad to win so I could have been a bit biased, but one judge did give it to him. Maybe when I go back and look at it on TV I might see a different fight – but either way, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

The Cabra legend does not think that ‘Mr Dynamite’ will need a prolonged period of rebuilding, and he stated how “I’d be looking for a rematch as soon as possible, get the rematch under your belt, get the win under your belt, and move on.”

“He’s served his apprenticeship and he’s stepped in against a guy who had over thirty fights. He got in with a very experienced, seasoned professional and I thought he just did enough to win. So to me, it just shows that he’s at that level and he’ll continue to improve, whereas I don’t think his opponent will improve any more, but I’ve no do doubt he [Cummings] will.”

“Down the road he will get the rematch and I think he will win more clearly and there’ll be no doubts next time. Some kids can handle a loss and come back a better fighter.”