Steve Collins looking to bring World title fights to Ireland

Irish fight legend Steve Collins is back in Irish boxing and is promising to bring world titles fights back to Dublin.

The Celtic Warrior isn’t coming out of retirement, but has joined forces with Frank Warren Promotions to promote Irish stars in England for 12 months before bringing the home to ‘pack out venues’ in Dublin.

First to benefit from the new agreement are the fighters already in Collin’s brother Pascal Collin’s Celtic Gym.

The former world champion and his sibling hope to generate massive exposure for Stephen Ormond, Gary

‘Spike’ O’Sullivan, Ian Tims and Karl Brabazon on Box Nation aired Frank Warren shows across the water for the next year before reigniting a Dublin scene that has died since the retirement of Bernard Dunne.

“We intend to fill arenas in Dublin with top class Irish fighters going for major titles. We know they can revive the fight game here.”

“At the moment there are no Irish fighters out there who could fill an arena in Dublin, and I believe if we can build these guys up in the UK they can come back here inside the next twelve months and pack anywhere out.With Omega behind us and Frank Warren determined to build the guys up for big fights in Ireland we can really get the pro game back on the road.”

The first fight card in the deal will take place in Liverpool on December 16 and will see Ormond fight Carl Johanneson for the WBO lightweight Intercontinental title.

Providing support to the Clondlakin fighters cross road clash will be two Irish title fights. Cork native and Irish Middleweight champion Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan will defend his strap against Belfast’s Tommy Tolan whilst Ian

Tim’s will but his Irish Cruiserweight title on the line against Shane McPhilbin. Amateur favourite Karl Barabazon makes his debut on the Mersey card.