Ethan Collins reckons being busier is better as he gets back in the ring all of 19 days after his professional debut.
The sequel to that introduction is as part of BCB Promotions’ show in Wolverhampton, at the Hangar Events Venue (Pearson Street), when fight night arrives on Friday October 1.
He only turned over on September 12, going up against tall 6ft 2in adversary Paul Cummings, who has over 50 pro contests under his belt.
Collins showed promise as he shut-out Cummings through a four-round points whitewash, having his hand raised by referee Kevin Parker who posted a 40-36 scoreline.
The 23-year-old welterweight had Tony Marshall in his corner, with the two subsequently in long conversations about his display.
Also in attendance was his amateur mentor, former professional boxing champion Darren McDermott, who coached him from the age of 10.
The two are practically family, with McDermott’s wife Claire the sister of Collins’ partner Rhianna, with whom he is a father to son Wolf-Aray.
His amateur career started with McDermott at the latter’s Brooklands Boxing Club, before switching to Darlaston BC, finishing with a ledger of 23 wins from 35 unpaid bouts.
Collins is now an adult who works hard in the gym and as a landscaper, where he’s employed and sponsored by Blake Sheds and Fencing, from his hometown of Dudley.
He said: “This opportunity has come along to get out again and I was happy to take it. I’d been out of the ring for 18 months, before I turned pro, so I’m making up for lost time.
“It should be a good atmosphere, I sold 100 tickets for Walsall, so I’m expecting to do about the same again. I’m building a fanbase and this is another chance to show what I’m about.
“Ideally, I’d like to get this and one more, before the end of the year, and continue from there. When doors start to open for me, I want to be ready.
“I’ve got a job to do again, I think my debut blew the dust off me and showed me what to do as a pro – try and win every round, take the stoppage if it comes.
“It was a good match against Paul. I met him at the weigh-in, we had a face off and I didn’t realise how tall he actually is. He was a bit heavier than me, too.
“It was a good bout and a positive performance, there were things that I could have done better. I came out a bit too quick, but I settled down after the first round.
“I knew, from pretty early on, that he wasn’t going anywhere and he kept coming forward, even after I’d hit him with about every shot that I could think of!
“This is a sport where you are never out of danger and journeymen are always dangerous. You can’t ever switch off in there.
“I used my feet well, so now it’s about picking the shots and sitting down on them. That’s where the power comes from and you get more time to think in a pro contest.
“I’ve sat down with Tony (Marshall, coach) and we have talked about what we can improve on. I want to show a whole new range of skills, but we are taking it step by step.
“Macca (Darren McDermott) gave me some great advice. He just told me that you have to enjoy boxing. He’s right. A boxer who is enjoying himself is a dangerous one.”
The undercard is stacked with local talent with Wolverhampton’s Kirstie Bavington, and debutants Ollie Cooper (Cannock), Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards (Wolverhampton) and Alex Round (Wednesfield) all in action.
All boxers weigh-in at The Hangar on Thursday at 1:30pm. The event is free to the public to attend and we’ll be giving away a pair of tickets to what is fast approaching a SELL OUT Show!
VIP Tickets for the Hangar bill have all sold out and there will be no ticket sales on the evening. A handful of standard tickets priced at £40 plus booking fee are available from MyFightTickets.com.
