Former Wales defender James Collins is set to make his boxing debut against fight content creator Big Stacks in London next month.
The 43-year-old has been included on the undercard for the upcoming Misfits Boxing event, which is set to be headlined by Joey Essex vs Dapper Laughs, on October 10 at London's Copper Box Arena.
Replacement opponent
Collins is set to take on social media sensation Big Stacks, who carries the self-proclaimed moniker of the “UK’s Hardest Man”.
Stacks stopped Jordan McCann in a grudge match earlier this month and was initially due to take on former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner.
However, Skinner pulled out for reasons that are yet to be clarified. It's now been confirmed that Collins will step in as Skinner's replacement, a move that's already caused a bit of a stir.
Fight announcement and support
Announcing the fight, Misfits Boxing posted on X: "Big Stacks finds his biggest challenger yet in former Welsh footballer James 'Ginge' Collins."
"A huge card unravels in London on October 10. You aren't going to want to miss this one."
Collins also posted news of the fight on his own social media, with some of his former colleagues already showing their support.
Former West Ham team-mate Carlton Cole remarked: “Can’t wait.” Meanwhile, ex-England and West Ham boss Sam Allardyce chimed in: “Go on Ginge.”
Football career
Collins hung up his boots in 2019, after a career that started with Cardiff City nearly 20 years previously.
He was famously part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, and won a total of 51 caps for his country.
He also picked up a runners-up medal in the FA Cup final with West Ham in 2006, and again with Aston Villa in the League Cup four years later.
