Nathaniel Collins chasing Euro glory as world title shot moves closer

The Herald Scotland

a day ago

Fresh from stopping compatriot Lee McGregor with a devastating show of power at the Hydro just a few months ago, Collins' career trajectory propels forward another notch now when he gets to headline a Scots-stacked card at the Braehead Arena on October 4.
On the line this time is Cristobal Lorente's European strap and, perhaps more importantly, pole position for a crack at the WBC featherweight title where Collins sits at No.2 in a forever fluctuating picture of contenders jostling for prominence.
The card is being billed as 'The Next King of Scotland' with the Bearsden southpaw touted as the successor to Josh Taylor in that regard following the latter's recent enforced retirement from the sport after 10 years at the top.
Just as Taylor was in the coda of his career, Collins is backed by Queensberry Promotions who brought their crew north earlier today – noticeably minus Warren – for the official launch press conference held in the luxurious and ornate surrounds of the Trades Hall in Glasgow city centre.
It was an event thrown open to the public, meaning anyone could have walked in off the street, but the room wasn't exactly crammed to overflowing with boxing fans or even just curious Glaswegians doing a nosey.
Taylor's impressive amateur career, that saw him box at the London Olympics in 2012 and then win Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow in 2014, meant he already had a significant public profile before he turned over into the professional ranks.
Collins doesn't have that to fall back on and you suspect he could have wandered down a bustling Buchanan Street after completing his press conference duties without being overly troubled for selfies.
Warren is no doubt aware of that which perhaps partly explains why he has been busy on social media imploring Glaswegians to 'get behind your man' as tickets go on sale.
In these days of boxing being broadcast across multiple different platforms – this one will be shown live on DAZN – it is perhaps harder for fighters, especially across a relatively small Scottish market, to become household names but there is little doubt that the Sam Kynoch-managed Collins deserves wider recognition for all he has achieved in a relatively short spell of time.
Victory over Lorente could be significant on that front, especially if it leads to a world title fight against one of the leading contenders in the United States, and Collins knows he needs to make the most of this opportunity.
'This is a big show for me and it's been many years in the making,' he said. 'It's been a quick turnaround as eight or nine weeks ago I was on the undercard of Josh's last fight and now I'm going to be headlining my own show in a couple of months.
'This is what dreams are made of and what every boxer hopes to get to. I feel like I'm getting to the peak of my powers. I've sacrificed everything for this life and that shows in the ring. That last fight [against McGregor] was up there with one of the best moments of my life. Walking out into the Hydro, Gerry Cinnamon blasting and everyone jamming along - I can still picture it now.
'I just hope Braehead is the same and we can bring the same noise. What a treat we've got for all the Glasgow boxing fans.'
Lorente played his part in helping to support the promotion, travelling from Spain to Glasgow with his European belt in his suitcase.
That prompted a bit of good-natured back and forth banter – conducted through a translator – of Collins telling the champion just to leave it here in Scotland, and the Spaniard responding that he quite fancied gettings his hands on Collins' WBC silver strap.
Lorente's record merits respect. Having defeated Italian Mauro Forte in Albania to win the belt last summer, he went on to beat countryman Francesco Grandelli to retain it and then drew with another Spaniard – Ruben Gill – last month to remain the man to beat.
Collins was respectful of that record but unwavering in backing his own abilities. 'He has every reason to be confident as he's European champion,' added the Scot. 'You don't do that if you're a bum – he's beaten credible opponents.
'But all my opponents have been confident and all have been dealt with. It makes no difference to me how confident he is as I know my own abilities.'