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Steve Collins wins first fight with new team


Steve Collins Jr began a new stage of his career with a win tonight in Belfast.

Following an Irish title loss to Paddy McDonagh in June, the Castleknock light heavy moved trainers from uncle Paschal Collins to Steven O’Rourke and signed a management deal with Mack The Knife Global.

His first fight with his new team came on the Ginley Promotions ‘Danger at The Devenish’ bill in West Belfast and Collins claimed a comeback win.

The Dubliner faced Latvian Edgars Sniedze and claimed a six-round points win.

The changes in The Wolfhound’s style were evident from the off as he looked to implement a snappy jab on his taller opponent before landing a big bodyshot at the close of the round that winded Sniedze.

The Baltic boxer came into the fight in the second, but it was Collins throwing and landing the greater number of shots.

Sniedze came out strong in the third, but Collins grasped the fight by the scruff on the neck, hurting the Riga journeyman to the body

A scrappier fourth saw Collins land the only real combination of note, forcing Sniedze to shell up for a period.

Collins continued to press the action in the fifth, and enjoyed a very good final minute, hitting home with big shots to body and head.

It was a close final round, with Sniedze finishing well – before Collins landed a huge left hook that sent him reeling back as the fight went to the card.

A good, competitive fight, Collins was adjudged to be a 59-55 winner.

Back to winning ways, Collins moves to 11(4)-1(0)-1. Sniedze slips to 5(5)-19(5) following the defeat

The 27 year old will aim to be back in the ring as soon as possible, and an Irish title eliminator with David Bailey was authorised recently.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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