Ben wins to put his career back on track

Ben Collins…points winner last night. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB Promotions

BEN “Pumpkin” Collins got back to winning ways at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms last night with whitewash points victory over seasoned veteran Harry Matthews.

In his first outing since surprise defeat to Patryk Polasik five months ago, the Stourbridge light-heavy jabbed smartly and smacked home right hooks to the body. He won all four rounds at a canter, referee Ryan Churchill scoring 40-36.

For 20-year-old Collins the win on BCB’s Winter War bill was all important. He entered the paid game armed with a promotional contract with Frank Warren and expectations of appearances on major televised shows.

Another small hall loss at this stage would’ve been pretty close to a calamity.

“I feel I could’ve got him out of there,” Collins said after notching up his third win in four outings. I should be boxing in early March and then build through 2025.

“I’m 20, I’m in no rush. I’ll keep training hard and learning in the gym. This was about getting back to winning ways and showing what I can do.”

Matthews, from Beverley, Yorkshire – a 36-year-old with 115 bouts under his belt – never looked like upsetting the applecart. He threw little back, but was never in difficulty.

Tall Collins (12st 12lbs) rattled home stiff jabs in the first, doubled-up the lead, then drove rights to the body.

By the second, Matthews (12st 12lbs), his left eye red and lumpy, was feeling Collins’ left hooks to the ribs.

He got through with a body shot in the third – a round Collins dictated behind those piston jabs, but it was pretty much one-way traffic.

Ben ended the bout with a flourish, planting hooks downstairs.

He can now put that one bad night at the office him and concentrate on making his mark in 2025.