The trial has illuminated some of the darker corners of the professional boxing world. Over the past three weeks the court heard of officials who were being bribed with drink, gifts and prostitutes. Attempts had been made to "nobble" a referee. References were made to heavy-handed intimidation, conflicting interests, shady deals.
For all that, the trial came to an anti-climactic conclusion yesterday - Mr Justice O'Sullivan reserved his judgment - but the hard-fought legal bout was on occasion as tense as any title fight.
Collins was being sued for breach of a management agreement by the British promoter, Barry Hearn, and his company, the Romford-based Matchroom Ltd. Collins denied the claim.
In stickier moments - and there were several during this trial - Steve Collins propelled his super-middleweight frame forward, deflecting a litany of potentially bruising legal jabs.
At other times during his cross-examination the retired but undefeated champion seemed content to let them land as he sat back in his seat at one point in tears. More little-boy-lost than Celtic Warrior.
Hearn, meanwhile, sat with one arm resting on the back of a courtroom bench, chewing gum. Frowning at times but often raising eyebrows or smiling ruefully at the more lively exchanges.
At issue was the question of whether a one-year agreement entered into by Collins and Hearn in 1994 was extended for a further year from May 1995.
According to Collins there were concerns over the legality of the agreement. Preconditions, including a bout between himself and Chris Eubank in Belfast, had not been met, the court was told.
For his part, Hearn claims the contract was extended and that he is entitled to 25 per cent of the money paid to Collins for three fights during this time - which comes to over £2 million.
A trial initially expected to be a straightforward examination of the Collins-Hearn contractual obligations quickly developed into a wider case resting on their professional relationship.
The contents of Collins's autobiography, written with sports journalist Paul Howard, was also hotly disputed. Certain incriminating sections were untrue, Collins said. He had left it that way because it suited him at the time. He had hoped a Hollywood movie mogul might read the book and make a film about him.
New York boxing referee Ron Lipton took the stand two weeks ago and told how in March 1995 he was chosen by the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) to referee a match in Millstreet, Co Cork. The opponents were Steve Collins and the reigning super-middleweight champion, Chris Eubank, who was also managed by Hearn.
The court heard how Lipton had been approached in his hotel by four or five men. "Remember one thing, Yank," they told him. "You're here for one reason only and that's Chris Eubank is the attraction. Not Collins." The suggestion was that he should favour Eubank when the fight took place.
There were other similar incidents, said Lipton. His hotel room was broken into and his clothes cut up. As he made his way to the ceremonial weigh-in, he claimed, Hearn approached him.
"Tomorrow night make sure you watch Collins's use of the head. He's a dirty fighter". The atmosphere in the Millstreet arena was the most intense he had ever experienced. Hearn denied the incident took place.
Lipton also alleged that officials were as a matter of course plied with wine and women by promoters and that this had happened in Millstreet. That was also denied by Hearn.
Other evidence hinted at behind-the-scenes machinations that are rife in the industry. At one stage Hearn had been challenged on letters he had written to the WBO.
This correspondence by Hearn, who in 1995 was a powerful figure in boxing, called into doubt a finger injury of Collins and was designed to strip his fighter of his world title. This was denied by Hearn, who said the letter was justified. It was a means to an end, Hearn said, and nobody had been hurt. There were other allegations that Hearn had tried to make sure Collins did not receive the best purse for a fight.
Collins has come under the spotlight, too. A picture has been painted of an almost "valueless" fighter who was disillusioned with the sport when Hearn took him under his wing. Under his guidance his earnings rose from £32,000 in 1993 to around £1.8m in 1995.
Collins, it was claimed, was street-wise enough to seek the best deal with other promoters regardless of his contractual obligations.
Barry Hearn said in court that he had been "shocked, staggered and disappointed" to receive Collins's letter terminating their contract on June 6th, 1995. The same emotions will be felt by one or other of the men when Mr Justice O'Sullivan delivers his verdict, expected soon after Christmas.