Confident Ben Collins targeting 'statement' on ring return
Stourbridge light-heavyweight Ben Collins is planning a statement performance when he returns to the ring in Dudley on Friday night.
The 21-year-old will fight for just the second and final time when he faces the experienced Robbie Chapman at the Town Hall in what will be his first professional bout over six rounds.
Collins is aiming to make it three wins on the spin after suffering a surprise defeat to Patryk Polasik at the same venue nearly 18 months ago.
And he believes Chapman, whose 83 bout career includes 13 wins and 10 draws, can bring the best out of him.
He told the Express & Star: “He is not one of these journeymen who is a walk in the park. He is a good fighter who has some good results on his record.
“He looks for shots and comes on as the fight goes on. That is what I want.
“Ultimately, I think I will be too big and too strong for him. The way I see it, these are the guys who I should be making easy work of and making a statement.
“My ultimate aim is to one day be British champion and if you want to do that, you have to beat guys like that.
“Everyone who has watched my fights has said the longer it goes on, the better it has been. I think in rounds five and six you will really see what I am about.”
Collins, last in action when he outpointed Edgars Sniedze in July, has enjoyed a strong training camp which included a six-round sparring session with Ben Whittaker.
A talented amateur for both Priory Park and the Lions ABC, he won a gold medal at the prestigious Haringey Cup in 2023 and signed a deal with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions shortly after turning professional.
But while eager to push on with his career, he also knows time is on his side.
“The only thing stopping me is age,” said Collins, who runs the Team Pumpkin gym in Brierley Hill alongside dad Carl.
“Sometimes I have to remind myself I am only 21. A lot of the guys I am looking up toward are 26, 27. Sometimes I have tell myself there is no rush.
“Next year I want to look at some of the youth titles, or even the Midlands. It is a long road. It is just about getting there.”
Friday’s show is topped by former European middleweight champion Tyler Denny’s clash with Grant Dennis.
Collins, who trains alongside Denny at the BCB gym in Wednesbury, said: “Tyler is big in the Black Country at the minute.
“Everyone gets behind him and hopefully in a few years I can be in the same boat as him.”
Tickets are available now, priced at £45 for general admission and £85 for VIP, from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com.
