BOXING buffs have been promised 15 bouts, including Steve Collins's defence of his world title, next Saturday in Manchester. Apart from Collins and Nigel Benn well known names such as "Sugar Boy" Malinga, Chris Pyatt, Vincenzo Nardiello, Herbie Hyde, Cornelius Carr, Paul Burke and Collins's brother, Paschal, are also scheduled to appear at the Nynex Arena.
Needless to say the Collins Benn fight will top the bill but the promoter, Frank Warren, points out that four other title fights will be staged including, World, Commonwealth and Inter continental titles.
Of particular interest will be the appearance on the bill of Hide, the former WBO heavyweight champion, Pyatt and Carr who have both been beaten by Collins.
Top supporting bout will be the WBC super middleweight title fight between Malinga from Transvaal, South Africa, who had the temerity to deprive Benn of his world title last March. He now defends that title against the former European champion, Nardiello from Italy.
This bout will be of great interest to the followers of Collins and Benn because, whoever wins their WBO clash, may challenge the winner of the WBC bout in order to set up an attractive unifying clash which would attract enormous interest either in Britain or in Ireland.
Collins and Benn will come face to face for the last time before they meet in the ring at a "head to head" press conference in Manchester this morning. Later on Collins will train publicly at the Y Club. Observers will be charged £1.00 to watch and the proceeds will go to the YMCA boxing club for the refurbishment of their training facilities for youngsters. The weigh in will take place at the Y Club on Friday evening.
. Mike Tyson offered Bruce Seldon some advice before their title fight on July 13th: "Don't show up." It seems many others agree, including Las Vegas book makers who have made Tyson a 7 to 1 on favourite to take Seldon's WBA title at the MGM Grand Hotel. Other than that ominous warning, Tyson displayed his new post prison personality - quietly confident and respectful, at least publicly - toward his opponent.
