The former world champion boxer Steve Collins broke down in tears in the witness-box in the High Court yesterday.
The fighter became upset during cross-examination by Mr Rory Brady SC, counsel for Mr Barry Hearn and his company Matchroom Boxing Ltd, who are suing Mr Collins for breach of contract, an allegation denied by the Dublin boxer.
Mr Hearn simultaneously managed Mr Collins and the British boxer, Chris Eubank, when Mr Collins defeated Eubank to win the WBO world super middleweight championship in Millstreet, Co Cork, in March 1995. Mr Hearn was also promoter of the event.
In court yesterday Mr Collins became upset when asked to read out the acknowledgement in the book, The Celtic Warrior, written by sports journalist Paul Howard. After reading out the first line in which he thanked his wife, Gemma, and their three children for their support during his career up to 1995, Mr Collins closed the book and put it down. He then lowered his head, put his hand to his face and began to cry.
Mr Justice O'Sullivan suggested that the court might rise for a minute or two to allow Mr Collins to compose himself. When Mr Collins became more upset and began sobbing, the judge adjourned the case for a few minutes.
The fighter, who has been under rigorous cross-examination for the past three days, stepped down from the witness-box, still clearly upset. He asked his solicitor to accompany him outside, and when they returned all appeared to be well. Before the judge resumed the hearing, however, Mr Collins looked over at Mr Hearn and said: "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Barry. Honest to God."
Earlier, during his cross-examination, Mr Collins became angry when accused by Mr Brady of being a liar. Mr Brady put it to him that he was lying when he said he had had two conversations with referee Ron Lipton after the Millstreet fight. Mr Collins said he was not lying, and was offended by such a description. "Don't call me a liar," he said.
When Mr Brady replied that there seemed to be no problem about calling Mr Hearn a liar, Mr Collins said Mr Hearn had been proven to be a liar. He said a lot of people cracked under pressure, but he was strong under pressure. People like Mr Hearn treated boxers as commodities. Before adjourning the trial until today, Mr Justice O'Sullivan observed that it was taking a long time. It was up to counsel to be self-disciplined in their approach to it, he said.
Yesterday was the 20th day of the hearing, which continues today.