Frustrated by having to sometimes watch British boxing move away from the tradition of the game – British title fights in particular – towards what they see as a more digestible meal for the “live” audience. chronic gland,” consider for a moment how that feels for shorts left on the shelf, pants begging for a chance.
One such boxer is Nathaniel Collins, the current Commonwealth featherweight champion from Scotland. His upcoming England featherweight title fight with James Beech was originally contested for the lower part of the Sky Sports show on March 4 in Glasgow only to be canceled altogether after that presenter, Josh Taylor , injured. Now, after begging just to get that card, Collins finds his fight with Beech has moved to March 10 at Glasgow’s DoubleTree Hilton, with no involvement from Sky Sports or any stations. any other major television.
“I’m worried that I’m fighting in my home city but ideally I’d like to be on the bigger stage, fighting on Sky or on something like DAZN,” Collins, 11-0 (5), say boxing news. “There are people signed to Boxxer and people signed to Matchroom who don’t get half of the prizes I have and that’s annoying in that sense. I want to be on a bigger platform.
“Honestly, sometimes I startle when I open social media and see such people have signed long-term contracts with Boxxer or Matchroom. This person may have only fought three or four times and they are having such opportunities. Then what usually happens is two or three fights in that deal, they’re finally given a half-hearted test and they fall apart. I’ve been fighting 50/50 for most of my career and so I know I can handle myself stepping up. However, it’s hard to get someone’s signature.
“We worked so hard to get this (Beech) match on Sky Sports. Boxxer was like, ‘We’ll let you know’, and I was like, Why do you need to think about that? It makes sense for it to take place in Scotland, at Hydro, in the wake of Josh Taylor’s rematch with Jack Catterall.
“Then when the whole show was cancelled, they said, ‘Well, maybe we’ll be able to get you (and the war) down south.’ Perhaps this. Maybe so. But why Maybe? All you have to do is give me a chance and then I’ll be the British and Commonwealth champion and you can add those belts to your stable. They’re turning it into a lose-lose situation but, if you think about it, these are the same belts that Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington won before they won the bigger titles.
Collins clearly has a point. In fact, often British title fights, especially in historically relevant categories such as featherweight, were the mainstay of British television boxing programmes. All in all, they not only provide competitive matches, but also, as Collins mentioned, help build profiles of future European and world champions.
The fact that networks like Sky Sports seem to have cooled off with domestic titles in recent years says a lot about the new approach to the sport from major broadcasters. It is an attitude that has also sadly affected many people involved in the sport.
“It’s funny because every boxer says they want to win the British belt, but I never really thought about the British,” said Collins, 26, brushing his teeth during the pro bout at the time of the British title. , speak. has been sadly depreciated. “I always only think about world titles. I never bothered about the British. I just always wanted to get to world class by the fastest way possible.
“It just so happens that the road there has led me to the British title and now I really look forward to fighting for it. It’s a great prize. Not many people from Scotland hold both England and the Commonwealth, so I’m looking to put my name in the history books.
“However, for me, this is just another step towards world class. I’m not looking down on James Beech being here because it would be a mistake but I’m confident in my abilities and know what I’m capable of.”
Collins poses for the camera
To win the Lonsdale belt, Collins had to deal with a surprise package from the Midlands, who won a chance to challenge the vacant title when he overcame the previously undefeated Raza Hamza in December. It was a result few expected. coming, but Collins had seen enough of Beech, 15-3 (2), to know that he could cause problems for Hamza.
“I watched Beech against Dennis McCann and I found that he was quite busy,” he said. “I also know Raza and know he is quite laid back, likes to sit out and doesn’t throw a lot of punches. I’m not surprised by the sadness so much.
“Beech is fit and he puts pressure well, but in my opinion, he makes a lot of mistakes. As long as I’m healthy and I can move, which I can, I shouldn’t have too much trouble. If I want to fight in the ring all night, it’s going to be a really nasty night for James Beech, and if I want to get up and fight, I can too.
“I can’t see how he won, in my opinion. Obviously, he would think otherwise. But, if you look at his track record, he’s not a great puncher. He had 18 fights and two stops. When you watch him, he is there, constantly looking into your face, but he also overshadows a lot of his own work. It really suits his fitness and ensures that I am not complacent.
“A lot of people say to me, ‘Oh, this is going to be an easy fight for you,’ but, no, not at all. Beech has 12 rounds of experience in title fights. He is no stranger to this level and an England title fight is a world title fight for him. If you’ve experienced a loss, what do you have to lose?”
