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Former Premier League star set for boxing debut on Saturday
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Celebrity boxing events are huge moneymakers currently, with YouTubers Jake and Logan Paul and KSI examples of figures who have stepped into the ring for fights.
Recently, Mike Tyson and even Anthony Joshua have fought Jake in Netflix showcases that drew huge streaming numbers.
One former Premier League star is set to try his hand at boxing for the first time this weekend.
James Collins is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. He began his career at Cardiff City before moving to West Ham United in 2005. He also played for Aston Villa and Ipswich, making more than 200 appearances across two spells for the Hammers.
Collins earned 51 caps for Wales, scoring three goals, and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016. He retired from international football in 2017 and ended his professional playing career in 2020.
It was after his career ended, and, more crucially, the passing of his father, that led to the desire to enter the ring.
“My father’s death in 2021 hit me hard because it was a big blow to the family," Collins told The Athletic.
"It was a massive shock and I coped with it by running and boxing. It helped me during the toughest period of my life after retirement.
“Some of my friends and loved ones were unsure about me taking this fight, but I’ll be thinking about my old man and doing it for him on the night.”
On Saturday, Collins will fight social-media personality “Big Stacks” on a Misfits Boxing show at the Copper Box Arena.
Big Stacks' real name is Charlie Robert and he claims to be "the hardest man in the UK."
“I was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been when I called my mum to tell her about the fight,” Collins continued.
“Her response was brilliant, although she didn’t realise how big a deal it is. She thought it was a little charity event. She’ll be travelling down from Wales with the rest of the family, and it will mean a lot having them there offering support.
“Some have asked, ‘Are you sure about this?’, but this is what I want to do, and I didn’t want to regret not taking this opportunity. I’ve gone West Ham-heavy for my ring gear because the club is a huge part of my life, but I decided I won’t have anything related to my dad because if I looked at my corner and saw a picture of him, I’d struggle with it.”
Big Stacks was initially supposed to fight TV personality Tom Skinner, but when Skinner pulled out, Collins was asked to step in after being asked by Misfits boxer Adam Brooks.
“Adam messaged me two weeks ago but before I listened to the voice note, I had no idea what it was about,” says the former Hammers defender.
“I hadn’t spoken to him in a little while and it ended up being the most random thing I’ve listened to in my life! He asked if I fancied being in a boxing fight. He was probably looking for someone stupid enough to take it on short notice.
“Adam asked tongue-in-cheek if I fancied it and I said yes because the pros outweigh the cons.”
The bill is headlined by a fight between reality TV star Joey Essex and comedian Dapper Laughs (Daniel O’Reilly).
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