Steve Collins confirmed his boxing comeback yesterday. He will face an as yet unnamed opponent in Cardiff on June 5th. The bout will serve as a preliminary fight before Collins attempts to reclaim the WBO world super middleweight title later this year.
The bout will be the chief supporting fight on a bill featuring reigning champion Joe Calzaghe from Wales, who takes on the Australian Rick Thornberry.
Collins was due to defend his title against Calzaghe in Cardiff in October 1997. Unhappy about the money on offer and expressing a desire to instead meet American Roy Jones jnr, Collins retired. Several months ago Collins announced that he wanted to return to the ring and challenged Jones, but the American turned again down the offer. Collins said yesterday that he was back in training for the past three weeks at the Lennox Lewis gym in Hackney in London.
"I'm in good shape, considering that I have been out for a year and a half or more. The whole thing has been planned. All we need now is the name of my opponent.
"I have rejoined (promoter) Frank Warren, and I'm training with Jimmy Tibbs here in London. I feel good about it and I hope that this will put me back in line for a world title."
"I hope to make a trip to Dublin to help publicise the fight within the next week or so. I am determined to get my title back and I do not have a problem making the weight," he said.
Rowing: The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's sense of humour hasn't deserted him amid recent political storms. That much became clear last night when he arrived directly from the Dail's long session to the Garda Boat Club in Islandbridge to launch a new boat, and said: "I want to apologise for the delay. I spent the last three hours doing something none of you will be interested in."
The Garda's impressive new eight cost £23,000 and was sponsored by AIB. The Taoiseach had one request for the Garda Siochana Boat Club - to change the numerical constitution of their governing body. "A Committee of 22 has a way of making Fianna Fail leaders very nervous," he said.
Athletics: Seville's new Olympic Stadium was officially inaugurated last night by the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, and IAAF president Dr Primo Nebiolo. The stadium was specifically designed and built to host the World Athletic Championships this August. The inauguration festival featured a friendly international between Spain and Croatia as well as two international 1,500 metres races for men and women.
Hockey: Russia beat a Leinster President's selection 6-0 at Belfield yesterday with all of their goals scored by forward Marina Tchegourdaeva. The match was used by the Russians as a warm-up for the weekend's four nations' tournament, also at Belfield, when they will play Ireland, Scotland and England.
Olympics: A major sponsor has criticised the IOC for not banishing two powerful members, Kim Un Yong of South Korea and Phil Coles of Australia, despite evidence of ethical violations.
David D'Alessandro, president and chief executive officer of John Hancock Financial Services, said his company has stopped using the five-ring Olympic logo it paid $50 million for rights to display. "There doesn't seem to be any limit to the stupid actions of the IOC," D'Alessandro said.
