Nathaniel Collins entered his last fight prepared to advance to the title stage.
He just didn’t know at the time that his next ring appearance would be the beginning of carrying his proud country on his back.
The unbeaten featherweight is set to headline as he challenges European 126lbs titlist Cristobal Lorente atop an October 4 DAZN show from Braehead Arena in Renfrew, Scotland. The event takes place 10 minutes from the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, where Collins, 17-0 (8 KOs) halted Lee McGregor inside of four rounds on May 25 for his biggest win to date.
That same show also saw the final bout in the remarkable career of former undisputed champion Josh Taylor, 19-3 (13 KOs), who retired in the wake of his loss to Ekow Essuman.
“It is amazing and it has been many years in the making,” Collins said during the launch press conference from The Trades Hall in Glasgow to formally announce the event. “It is a quick turnaround, only eight or nine weeks ago I was on the undercard of Josh.
“Now I am headlining my own show in a couple of months. This is basically what dreams are made of. It just shows you how fast things can change.”
Given the turnout of the May 25 main event – Taylor’s third straight defeat and subsequent exit from the game – Collins could not have picked a better time for his performance.
The 28-year-old southpaw from Bearsden was just shy of a -200 favorite headed into his scheduled 12-round clash with McGregor. The evening’s chief support was anticipated to be more competitive than was the case. Collins scored three knockdowns and forced McGregor’s corner to call for referee Mark Lyson to wave off the contest.
“I think a lot of people expected, including myself, an all-out war,” noted Collins. “I live this life and sacrifice everything for it - fitness, health, training all the time. So that shows and the levels start to show when people don’t live that life.
“I showed it all on that night.”
All eyes are now on the red-hot featherweight contender to become Scotland’s next big thing.
Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren is expecting a packed house at the intimate venue. Of course, Collins still has to get the job done in the ring.
Spain’s Lorente, 20-0-2 (8 KOs), attempts the third defense of the EBU 126lbs title he’s held since last July 11. He was held to a draw by unbeaten Ruben Gil on July 5 in Playa de Oro, a little more than an hour from his Barcelona hometown.
The upcoming bout versus Collins will mark Lorente’s UK debut. He will undoubtedly enter the lion’s den against the local favorite.
“The atmosphere is going to be amazing,” Collins anticipates. “Last time is up there with one of the best moments of my life. I am hoping Braehead will be the same and the fans will bring that same noise.
“What a card we’ve got and what a treat we’ve got for all the Glasgow fans. We’re back again and it is going to be amazing.”
As for the fight itself, Collins once again plans to live up to the pre-fight odds. He enters this bout as a -650 favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, but intends to make it an even greater rout.
“He can expect the same kind of performance that I put on last time,” Collins said of Lorente. “He is a great fighter, but he has never come up against anyone like me. If I want to keep getting called a sensation, I am going to have to keep putting on sensational performances.
“Another one is coming.”
