THE unlikely name of Thalini Malinga looms large in Steve Collins' plans following the Dubliner's tortured victory over Neville Brown at the Green Glens Arena near Millstreet, Co Cork, on Saturday night.

A mere week ago, Collins, was considering a clash with, Nigel Benn, the then World Boxing Council super middle-weight champion.

Then Malinga, "Sugar Boy" to his friends and otherwise recognised by no less a man than Nelson Mandela as a modern South African hero, came to Newcastle-on-Tyne and relieved Benn of his world belt.

Instead of going back to his work as a preacher to the townships of Johannesburg, Malinga headed off to Millstreet to see Collins and made no excuses about it. "I will fight Steve here or anywhere. I beat Nigel Benn and I can beat anyone in this division," said the charmingly dangerous Malinga.

What had gone before was not what Collins had predicted. Brown was a much more combative and worthy opponent than had been expected.

Collins probably took more punishment in the third and fourth rounds than he has ever taken. He set out from the start, to finish this bout early, but he found an opponent worthy of the challenge.

There was some considerable doubt about the legitimacy of the standing count given to Brown after he had slipped to the floor in the first round, and even more doubt about a further mandatory count in the second after Brown again slipped on the ill-prepared canvas.

Collins, although dearly ahead on, the score cards, was shipping far too many blows to the head and was by no means comfortable.

In the fourth round Collins appeared in trouble. He was sluggish and uncoordinated and didn't seem to know how to cope with Brown's vigorous challenge.

He never really managed throughout the fight to address the problem, and he admitted afterwards that he had under-estimated his opponent. It was the kind of, careless approach which Benn now regrets.

What will live forever for Collins, however, is that while he was beating Chris Eubank twice, and while Nigel Benn was plotting his own arrogant downfall, he (Collins) remained true to his dream.

His manner in achieving that and his demeanor in holding on to it is not all that pretty, and his triumph over Brown was far from impressive. He took far too many punches to the head and was sluggish in his responses. Although he dictated the fight and looked ready to end it early, he never really looked like a champion.

He boasted beforehand that he knew how the fight would go, and said afterwards that he had enjoyed it. It seemed a curious type of enjoyment, for he was not, by any stretch of the imagination, in the sort of form to put an early end to what should have been a pipe-opener for bigger things.

The presence of "Sugar Boy" Mailnga at the fight and his high profile at the subsequent press conference clearly indicated that Collins may soon be packing his bags for South Africa.

In spite of dire predictions, an impressive crowd of about 4,000 provided an exciting atmosphere for a unique occasion in Irish boxing - there were nine Irish-born boxers on the bill.

Michael Carruth was well worthy of his revenge against the only professional who has beaten him when he forced Gordon Blair to retire at the end of the third round of their welterweight bout.

Steve Collins' brother Paschal knocked out Elwyn Brooks in the first round of their super middle-weight clash, and the former European gold medallist, Paul Griffin, beat Peter Buckley over four rounds in a super bantamweight contest.

Perhaps the biggest-winner of the night was, once again, the Green Glens Arena. Even though getting there is the most difficult part, the facilities are superb and do considerable credit to the district.