Steve Collins defended his WBO world super middleweight title against Nigel Benn

Date: July 6, 1996

Venue: NYMEX Arena, Manchester

Collins stance: orthodox

Benn stance: orthodox

Steve Collins turned pro in 1986 and had his first 19 bouts in America. After wins over fringe contenders, Collins challenged Mike McCallum for the WBA middleweight title in 1990, and lost on points. Five fights and five wins later, Collins faced Reggie Johnson for the vacant WBA middleweight crown in 1992 and again lost on points. In his next bout, Collins challenged Sumbu Kalambay for the European middleweight belt and lost on points. After six more wins, Collins challenged Chris Pyatt for the WBO middleweight title, and stopped him in the fifth round. In his next fight, Collins challenged Chris Eubank for the WBO super middleweight title and won a rather controversial, hometown decision. Collins won the rematch with Eubank on points and won two fairly easy defences before facing Benn.

Nigel Benn won the WBO middleweight title in 1990, when he stopped Doug DeWitt in the eighth round. He lost his title to Chris Eubank in his second defence when he was stopped in the ninth round. Benn won his next six bouts and then won the WBC super middleweight belt with a fourth round stoppage of Mauro Galvano. Benn defended his title successfully none times before losing a rematch to Thulani Malinga on points.

For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:

Steve Collins - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/645

Nigel Benn - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/739