Collins granted boxing licence at 48 ahead of potential fight with Jones Jr

By Declan Warrington

PUBLISHED: 19:38 EST, 10 April 2013 | UPDATED: 19:40 EST, 10 April 2013

Another barrier has been removed from the concerning prospect of Steve Collins returning to the ring to fight Roy Jones Jr after he was granted a licence to box.

The 48 year old hasn't fought since a third round stoppage victory over Craig Cummings in July 1997 but regardless hopes to face Jones, 44, in the belief that the American avoided him when they were both at their prime.

'I've started training for it,' Collins said in January.

Tenacious: But Steve Collins hasn't fought since 1997

Tenacious: But Steve Collins hasn't fought since 1997

‘We’ve had a strong interest out in the Middle East. South Africa has come on board. There could be Russian interest as well.

‘It’s going to happen, it’s a case of where and when.

‘There’s a vacant title too we can fight for, which has been accepted.

Shot: Roy Jones Jr is a shadow of his former self

Shot: Roy Jones Jr is a shadow of his former self

‘I’m really up for this fight, I’m very excited. I wanted this to happen 15 years ago, and I never got it.'

It remains a possibility that a fight between the two could take place in Eastern Europe or the Middle East, but Collins will have been out of the ring for 16 years by the time it may take place and, sadly, though still active, Jones Jr has significantly declined and is incapable of performing to a level anywhere near his best.

 

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the board will be finished ,if one of these old men end up hurt or worse .

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disgraceful

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Roy was on the way down by the time Calzaghe got to him, not that it wasn't a good fight. That first round beatdown against Green should have been the last fight though, he's already tainted his legacy, Steve Collins doesn't need to do the same.

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Boxing has a duty of care to take care of their boxers. 2 boxers grasping to the very last vestiges of their fame. Boxing has let them down. Poor form.

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Collins needs to think with his head instead of his heart.The legs have gone keep the brain intact.

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In other interview's Steve Collins has already said that this was just a fun match and not an attempt at a comeback.. Both were great fighters but long past their best..

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Don't do it Collins, you'll ruin your legacy.

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Crazy , the board have a duty of care to boxers.

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Why is Roy Jones still bothering. So sad to see someone who was once so good exceptional look ordinary at best. Although I do not remember Collins myself I'm sure fans of his will not be happy to see a shadow of his former self in the ring

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You can have veterans football matches or tennis and enjoy it for what it is,watching the skills of the old players but boxing is a different game entirely and you should not be granting boxing licences to 48 years old men,surely it wasn't the British boxing board of control that granted this licence,okay I forgot about Bernard Hopkins but he is a one off,an exceptional boxer and athlete.

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