Derry Mathews-trained amateur star Jay Collins is readying for his pro bow
The city of Liverpool has established itself as one of British boxing’s strongest hubs of talent over the last half-century, with Olympians, British, Commonwealth and World Champions all coming from the Northern City. Traditionally the sporting focus on Merseyside has always been with its football teams of Everton and Liverpool, however, in recent years boxing talents have been a close second, with the likes of Tony Bellew, Rocky Fielding and Callum Smith all becoming World Champions in recent times.
One fighter aiming to follow in the footsteps of the many Scouse Boxing legends is Salisbury ABC product Jay Collins who is set for his pro debut on November 30 in the historic Liverpool Olympia on the undercard of the tantalising Tom McGuiness vs Colin Day main event.
Light-welterweight Collins is well known within Liverpool Boxing circles as one of the best amateurs to come out of the legendary Salisbury ABC in recent times. The 22-year-old opened up about his plans in the pro game and why he made the decision to turn pro.
Collins said, “I always wanted to turn pro even in the amateurs, and maybe I underachieved in the amateurs. I felt I could have done more as I had mixed it with the best, but after spending time around the pro’s I decided that is what I wanted to do going forward.”
“I’ve sparred everyone you can think of amateur and pro around Welterweight and after a few trips away sparring which included sparring some former World Champions in America, and after this I knew I could hold my own with the best so I made the decision to turn pro."
‘The Jackhammer’ Collins has linked up with fellow Liverpool greats Derry Mathews, George Vaughan and Gary Thornhill with Steve Wood’s VIP Promotions backing him on a management front. Collins gave his take on his transition to the pro’s and what people can expect from his pro debut.
Jay said, “I had the best amateur upbringing you can have being at The Solly. That has put me in the right place to turn pro. I’ve always carried power and that’s what you need in the pro’s so I’m really excited to entertain everyone coming to watch and get involved in some proper fights and hopefully go on to win some big titles.
“Working with Derry, Gary and George is great. They’re a fountain of knowledge and with their help and the backing of CDT Dry Lining, CH Fitness and Pain Solutions and Liverpool Massage Therapist; there is no reason that I can’t be winning titles in the not so distant future.”