Ex-West Ham star James Collins reveals why he’s fighting ‘UK’s hardest man’ in boxing debut

South Wales has produced boxing legends Joe Calzaghe, Jimmy Wilde and Howard Winstone. On Saturday night (October 10), another Welsh sportsman will step into the ring as former West Ham United centre-back James Collins faces the self-proclaimed ‘UK’s hardest man’, Big Stacks, at the Copper Box Arena in Stratford.

Newport-born Collins, 43, played for Cardiff City, West Ham United, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town during a 19-year career. He also represented Wales 51 times and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2016 European Championships. Collins retired from football in 2019 and, seven years later, is set to lace up the gloves for his first fight under the Misfits banner.

He is a late replacement for businessman and social media personality Tom Skinner, who was originally due to fight Big Stacks, whose real name is reportedly Charlie Robert. In his last fight, Big Stacks, 33, beat Jordan McCann by second-round TKO in Newcastle.

READ NEXT: PFA issue statement on James McClean as he alleges 'incomprehensible' treatment by club

James Collins names two ex-footballers he wouldn't fight

As expected, Big Stacks fancies his chances against Collins, but the Welshman is looking forward to the contest, having faced some of the toughest strikers in Premier League history.

Speaking exclusively to , Collins named former Bolton and Everton strikers Kevin Davies and Duncan Ferguson as two opponents he would not want to face in a boxing ring. He declined to call out any former footballers for a future fight.

“ big Duncan Ferguson. We all know the stories about Duncan, who’s a tough boy,” he told .

“Every team I played against seemed to have a tough centre-forward. You go to Bolton back in the day and Kevin Davies was playing up front.

“Kev was a tough boy. You head-butt the back of his head, you’d know about it. I wouldn’t be calling any of the old boys out, to be fair, the big old number nines, because they could all handle themselves pretty well.”

Why is James Collins fighting Big Stacks?

So why would a former Premier League footballer want to risk his health in the boxing ring, and how did this come about?

Collins said he has been an avid boxing fan throughout his life and regularly watched bouts during his playing days, with a particular affection for Calzaghe. He also explained why he decided to lace up the gloves at such short notice.

“I got a phone call and I think they were looking for a big lump who was probably a little bit nuts to see if he fancied it. My name got brought up and I said yes,” Collins claimed.

“I didn’t want to sit there in another two, three years’ time and go, ‘Do you know what? I had a chance to fight that night.’ That was a major reason. I didn’t want to regret it. Whatever happens in the fight on the 10th of October, I’ve loved it .”

Collins will enter the ring at the Copper Box aiming to win, although he was quick to describe the benefits he has experienced since starting training camp in September.

“I’m back in the gym, I feel fit, I’m eating better, I’m better company because I’m out in the gym and I’m working out,” he added.

“I’ve absolutely loved it so far. Met some incredible people in the gym, people outside the gym, people giving me advice.”

Despite never having boxed before, Collins thinks his tough upbringing in Newport stands him in good stead on fight night. His pre-season bust-up with former Hammers teammate Andy Carroll may also have taught him how to take a punch or two.

“I come from Newport in South Wales, which is full of tough people,” the 43-year-old explained. “I’ve been around a fair bit of scrapping in my time.”

“There’s a story with Big Andy Carroll,” Collins recalled. “Me and Andy Carroll had a bit of a tussle on a pre-season tour once. Big Sam Allardyce gave us an evening out, and there was a bit of a disagreement, put it that way. It ended up with Big Andy giving me a stiff right hand over the top of my jab.

“It happens in football. Me and Andy were good as gold after. We shook hands and had a pint after. That’s probably the closest I’ve got to being in a proper fight. I wouldn’t want to fight Big Andy again, to be honest, the way he hit me that night.”

urging fellow former professional footballers to get back in the gym, naming former Manchester United players Wayne Rooney and Phil Bardsley as two boxing enthusiasts.

“There’ll be loads out there," he said. "We all know Wayne Rooney loves his boxing. Phil Bardsley as well. I think it was that famous video a few years back where they were in the kitchen. Darren Gibson — there’s loads.

“What I would say to ex-footballers is, get in the gym. Why not? Get out there, get training again. And that’s not just footballers; that’s anyone. If you’re not in the gym, go to your local boxing gym. You’ll love everything about it: the training, the people in there, the purpose it gives you.

“Hopefully people see me and think, do you know what, fair play to the big ginger, he’s had a go. You will not be disappointed.”

READ NEXT: John Fury explains true reason he won’t attend Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua amid family feud

Who else is fighting on the MisFits card?

Reality TV star Joey Essex takes on comedian Dapper Laughs in the main event, with Plinio Cruz and Gary Olive fighting before that. Swarmz returns to the welterweight division, where he will take on Ambush Buzzworl, while Jordan McCann looks to claim victory against Mo Deen. Carla Jade takes on Erika Knights in a Misfits women’s lightweight title fight, while Nitboy and Kane West will team up against Cracky Tokky and Little T in a tag-team bout.