The former world champion boxer Steve Collins yesterday apologised to the High Court for having been overcome and breaking down in tears. The fighter, who became upset during cross-examination on Thursday, told Mr Justice O'Sullivan he was sorry for what had happened. He said it was a reaction to his father's death.
The judge said Mr Collins did not owe him any apology and he fully understood the situation.
Yesterday was the 21st day of the trial in which Mr Collins, the undefeated but now retired WBO super middle-weight champion, is accused of breaching his contract with his former manager, Mr Barry Hearn. Mr Collins, of Pine House, Navan Road, Dublin, has denied the claim.
Resuming his cross-examination yesterday, Mr Collins told Mr Rory Brady SC, for Mr Hearn, that on June 6th, 1995, he had signed a letter, issued by his solicitors, which terminated his management agreement with Mr Hearn.
When Mr Hearn wrote to the WBO on June 7th and 13th, 1995, Mr Collins said, he had definite proof that Mr Hearn was trying to have him (Collins) stripped of his title which he had won from Chris Eubank in Millstreet, Co Cork, three months earlier.
Mr Collins said Mr Hearn had, on May 29th, 1995, tried to prevent him (Collins) from earning his biggest pay out by blocking the acceptance of the best purse offer made by a rival promoter, Mr Frank Warren. He said Mr Hearn had on that occasion prevented him from earning his wage.
Mr Collins acknowledged that both Mr Hearn and his company Matchroom Boxing had made some contribution to his success as a boxer. He felt sad that his former trainer, Mr Freddie King, to whom he had confided a lot of personal things, had come into court and told lies about him.
Asked whether the real reason for his being in court was that he did not wish to pay Mr Hearn the money due to him, Mr Collins said Mr Hearn was no longer his manager and as such there was no managerial fee due to him.
Mr Brady put it to the witness that what he had told the court had been put together to defeat Mr Hearn. Mr Collins said he did not agree with that.
Mr Collins finished his evidence yesterday. He had spent seven days in the witness box.
Mr Mel Christle, president of the Boxing Union of Ireland, said he was in court because he had been subpoenaed by both sides. He said a manager had an obligation to look after the financial and physical welfare of his fighter because it was in his interests to do so. The hearing continues on Tuesday.