Steve Collins and Nigel Benn to come out of retirement for third fight

Nigel Benn [42(35)-5(4)-1] has revealed that he is set to fight Steve Collins [36(21)-3(0)], almost 21 years on from their last fight.

53 and 52 years old respectively, Benn claims he contacted Dubliner Collins and agreed a fight as he seeks to gain “closure.”

A fight between ‘The Dark Destroyer’ and Chris Eubank Sr had long been discussed but, following negotiating difficulties with the Brighton boxer, Benn has turned to ‘The Celtic Warrior’ and has found a willing dance partner.

Speaking on IFL TV, Benn claimed that Collins has agreed to the fight, and the pair will meet for a third time in September or October.

Collins, Ireland’s first two-weight world champion, defended his WBO super middleweight title for the fourth and fifth times against Benn in Manchester back in 1996. The first fight ended in the fourth when the Englishman injured his ankle and then turned his back on Collins. The rematch saw Benn pulled out by his corner after six rounds.

Benn retired following these two losses. Collins retired as undefeated champion in 1997, and a comeback in 1999 would be halted when he collapsed following a sparring session with then-British champion Howard Eastman.

Collins had seemed close to a fight with Roy Jones Jr in recent years, even coming head-to-head with him when Frank Buglioni took on Fedor Chudinov, however this proposed match-up would fall through

It is likely that Collins would work with his younger brother Paschal out of Celtic Warriors Gym in Corduff should the fight become a reality.

Watch Nigel Benn’s interview with IFL TV in full below: