‘Tommy Gun Collins has jumped the gun’, says title rival Sajid

Sajid Abid…supremely confident of an upset. Picture: Rehan Khalid 

BLUES idol Tommy “Gun” Collins has “jumped the gun” by fighting for a Midlands title next month, says his opponent.

Sajid Abid, who used to work in a surgery supplying medication before turning to boxing full-time, reckons he’s got the prescription to pull off a win over the unbeaten prospect. They meet for the vacant super-light (light-welter) belt on December 20.

Tommy, a former outstanding amateur, should be applauded for jumping in at the deep end at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms following a year away from the game.

*He’s had 10 contests, Derby’s Abid has had 16 (two losses). He’s been a pro for four years, Abid 10.

*He’s never gone beyond six rounds. Abid has done the championship 10 round course on three occasions.

*His career has been confined to Birmingham, apart from two contests – in Sheffield and Walsall. Abid has plied his trade in London, Dubai and Jeddah.

He’s making his debut at area title level, Abid has been beaten on points for the English crown.

Tommy does have the edge in amateur experience – he was multi-title winning and beat very good men including current pro European champ Danny Quatermaine. Abid had only one unpaid contest.

“From a statistical point of view,” 30-year-old Abid told me, “it does look like he’s jumped the gun, if you’ll excuse the pun. But his team believe in him and he believes in himself.”

What 26-year-old Tommy does have on his side is a boisterous, loud and passionate Bluenose army behind him – he’s a big ticketseller. They’ll create a deafening wall of sound at the Eastside Rooms. And Tommy’s dad and trainer Dean – an immensely likeable character – insists this is the real test his lad needs. He’ll rise to the occasion, he’ll show how good he is.

“I’ve been in hostile environments,” Abid said. “It doesn’t faze me. It’s just me and him in the ring, whatever happens, happens in that ring. I have a very good ability to selectively listen – I won’t hear the noise.”

I’ll confess to being a little wrong-footed by Abid: he’s not what I expected. He’s highly articulate, measured in his comments, strings together sentences with near Churchillian power and precision and, in an age of pre-fight trash talk, underlined his respect for Collins.

He speaks with a steely self-belief. He’s a very thoughtful individual, a very likeable man.

“I don’t know much about him (Collins),” Abid said. “I know he’s undefeated and has not been tested, as of yet. I do believe I’m better at this level.

“Experience is a major thing and I’ve done the championship distance three times. I have respect for every fighter, but with my experience and what I’ve come through, the ball is in my court. I’ve been through it – I’ve faced journeymen, I’ve faced prospects.”

Tommy Collins…biggest test to date. Pic: MSN Images/BCB Promotions

On December 20, he faces Tommy’s Barmy Blues Army.

“At some point every fighter has to step up and I respect the fact he’s stepping up against someone like me,” Abid said. “It’s a big step from journeymen to someone like me.

“When I returned to boxing after a sabbatical, my goal was just to win an area title. That was five, six years ago – deep down I didn’t have much belief in my ability. The more I boxed, the more I thought, ‘I’m not bad at this’, I’m better than that level.

“Being the away fighter doesn’t bother me. I know what I’ve got to do and what I’ve trained to do.

The team I have now – a wonderful team from training to management – make it happen on the night. We train to make sure I’m at my best on the night.”

It’s a cracking contest – and by the end of it we’ll know a lot more about Tommy Collins’ true potential, that’s for sure. We’ll know if the Tommy Gun rattles or splutters.