This at middle weight I presume? Well,, Collins wasn't anything exceptional but he did seem pretty durable, which would help against Benn. Maybe a similar fight as Benn v Eubank 1,all action, both men nailing the other. Benn taking the first half of the fight then Collins coming back. Nigel, doing his best to ko Collins but having no success, finds himself getting ripped in to. Collins wrsc 8 Benn imo.
Hammer Vs Anvil. Although Benn was faded when they fought, there's two reasonable conclusions to make - Benn will land big shots on Collins, and Collins is the significantly bigger and stronger man. Based on Benn-Eubank I, I think the most likely outcome at 160 is something similar. There's always a chance Benn takes him out, but Eubank showed that a granite chin could withstand Benn's blows and wear him down. Collins' physical strength is probably the X-Factor in this. Benn was not huge at either weight, and while a big puncher he could be out-muscled like he was in parts against Jimenez. He also had problems with Watson's size and strength, albeit earlier in his career. At 168, a more mature Benn probably has a better chance. He was able to apply more educated pressure, and was able to outwork Eubank (probably) in their second fight. Collins wasn't a huge puncher, so if Benn sees the final bell he's got a decent chance of victory. It may be though that he would need to lose a first fight with Collins to formulate the right strategy.
Close fight but I think Benn wins a decision, Collins may have had a good chin but no one could take flush punches round after round from Benn as SC would have, even the cast iron jawed Eubank was hurt and forced to adapt. What happened in 1996 is irrelevant when discussing this, Nigel was a completely and utterly shot fighter by then, timing and reflexes totally gone.
The Benn of the McClellan fight beats any Collins there ever was. The younger middleweight Benn may have punched himself out and been old manned out of the fight like he was against Watson.
Collins was tough but could be hit .I see him doing well pushing benn about and forcing him back and walking into a big punch and getting dropped.Any middle weight Benn could hit risked getting sparked and Collins did get hit .great fight
Like most of the previous posters, I reckon Benn v Eubank 1 is the blueprint for this fight. Benn's best years were wracked with indiscipline so, despite his talent and ridiculous power, if you could see out 4 or 5 rounds, he would blow out. Collins was as tough as Nigel was powerful. Collins after 8 and a fight we'd still be talking about.
I think Collins beats any version of Benn, not because he's better i just think he's a bad matchup for Benn.
Collins wasnt that strong as people make him out to be. Tough and great stamina but he had no power. Reggie Johnson and both Mccallum werent known as strong middleweights but neither had a hard time with Collins. Kalambay while slick wasnt strong and yet he battled Collins on the inside. Benn on the other hand has faster hands then Collins and has way more power. Collins is more durable and thats it. But Collins isnt going to absorb Benns bombs easily. Lets not forget Eubank would have stopped Collins if he hadnt paused and Eubank isnt close to Benn in terms of power. Collins gets alot of mileage off his wins against Eubank and Benn. Both were removed from their primes and yet Collins scored a SPLIT decsion over Eubank the second time. Maligna mangled Benn before Collins got to him not to mention the wars Benn had been in prior to Collins.
