Tommy Gun wins a Midlands title thriller

The end is nigh…Collins unloads. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB Promotions

RESIDENTS in Birmingham’s B7 postcode may still be picking up the tinsel, baubles and lights shaken loose from Christmas trees by the seismic explosion of violence between Tommy Collins and Sajid Abid.

Last night, both detonated big punches, both let their firsts fly before Blues hero Collins overwhelmed his opponent with a storm of blows in the fifth. The vacant Midlands super-lightweight title was on the line, yet the pair fought with an intensity befitting a world championship.

This was a wild shoot-out best watched through a curtain of fingers. Promoters BCB dubbed their Eastside Rooms show “Winter War” and the main event lived-up to the grand billing.

The second was the stuff of Rocky movies, with both men receiving counts from referee Chris Dean in one of the best rounds seen in the Midlands this year.

It became a question of who would melt first in the heat of battle and Abid was the one to eventually buckle.

Trapped in 26-year-old Tommy’s corner in the fifth, the Derby man stumbled after taking a right to the body, shipped a mighty right to the head as he re-set and Tommy unleashed a stream of big, unanswered punches. Abid was on his feet, but glassy eyed and limp when Mr Dean correctly called it off at two minutes 25 seconds.

Collins, now unbeaten in 11, donned a Birmingham City Santa hat as his army of fans paid noisy tribute to the new champ. After a year away from the sport, Tommy Gun is gunning for a shot at the English title.

In contrast, Abid wept in his dressing room and was still clearly emotional as he left the hall. He had given his all and it was not enough. The 30-year-old, who lost for the third time in 17 contests, faces a hard, difficult road back.

“He was a very worthy opponent,” said Tommy’s dad and trainer Dean. “A nice lad and, hopefully, he’s safe. I knew Tommy would do it, my only concerns were having that year off and making the weight and, in the end, he made the weight comfortably.

“He was a bit lazy with the jab in the second and third and got caught with backhands over the top. He is strong – a lot of people have underestimated Tommy’s power, but, believe me, he’s got power.

“I’m very, very happy. There was a good turn-out and hats off to all those people who spent money at a difficult time of year, the run-up to Christmas.”

Beaming Collins displays the hard-earned Midlands belt

“I want the English title,” Tommy said. “I’d take that as my next fight. We have been practicing a lot of things for this fight.

“We knew there were vulnerabilities. That’s what good fighters do – expose the weaknesses, exploit the weaknesses and build their own path.”

Abid (9st 13lbs, like his opponent) paid the price for recklessness. He failed to work his way in behind the jab and pinned his hopes on right hands. It made for a scintillating scrap, it wasn’t the most sensible of battle plans.

The scheduled 10 rounder erupted into life in the second when Abid connected with a right that buckled Collins’ legs. The Brummie’s knee touched the canvas, he rose immediately and protested while the eight count was given.

Payback was almost immediate, a left hook sending Abid to the floor for a flash knockdown. After that, the two simply tore into each other like snarling pit bulls.

Collins landed two solid shots in the third, while Abid looked for openings to deliver those big rights. He found them in the fourth, a round in which Tommy jabbed smartly before copping two flush right hands.

The relentless action ebbed and flowed until Collins, his gun smoking, found the punches that provided a dramatic ending to a dramatic encounter.

Christmas may still be a handful of days away, but Tommy and Sajid have already pulled a cracker for fight fans.