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Wolfhound Collins vows to continue chasing scalps following cruiser comeback win


Just over three months on from his second career defeat, Steve Collins Jr was back in the ring in Belfast on Friday.

Now operating back at cruiserweight, Collins [13(4)-2(0)-1] defeated Pawel Strykowski over six rounds at the Titanic Exhibition Centre.

The show opener for ‘King of the Celts’, the Dubliner won every round – even the fifth and sixth, rounds he was not expecting.

Collins went into the ring expecting a four rounder but ended up fighting six.

It was no problem for ‘The Wolfhound’ who had been preparing for a ten-round BBBoC Celtic clash with Scot Jay McFarlane last week in Glasgow before being switched to the show in Belfast

Collins was delighted to get back to winning ways following his BUI Celtic light heavyweight title loss to Steven Ward and admitted that “I loved it.”

“It’s just great to be back in the ring to be honest. It’s what we all train for. It’s what makes us happy so of course I enjoyed it.”

“I was supposed to be fighting a 10-rounder originally, then it was a four-rounder that turned into a six-rounder!”

In recent months Strykowski has brought Swords heavy Paddy Nevin, a gym-mate of Collins, and Antrim cruiser Conor Cooke the distance.

The Castleknock fighter arguably put on the strongest performance of the three despite a notable size disparity.

Collins noted how “everyone is taller than me in this division because I’m a fat little light-heavyweight so the left to the body is an obvious shot.”

“I could’ve slowed him down more to the body because I knew I was hurting him, I could hear him wincing.”

“He was cute enough because I was landing with the left hook so he kept was moving to the right.”

The comeback win in the bag, Collins is keen to get back on the horse and continue chasing big fights.

The rugby convert promised that his 2019 plans are “the same as ever.”

“Keep chasing scalps and titles, just keep getting better and better, climbing the ranks.”

“I’d fight anyone and I mean that.”

dpg

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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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