I must admit that, despite the pleas for support, I didn’t watch West Ham favourite James Collins’ Misfits boxing match last night. As I mentioned in my blog a few days ago, it never sits comfortably with me watching people with little boxing pedigree step inside the ropes and start getting hit around the head.
I’m a big boxing fan, but it’s a dangerous business. My first thought on hearing how the fight had gone was simply that I hoped Ginge had come through the encounter with his health intact.
According to The Sun, Collins lost to Big Stacks on a split decision, having got off the deck in the third round and seen the four-round contest through to the end. There’s certainly no shame in that, and nobody who watched him play for West Ham will need convincing about his courage.
Ginge’s Courage Was Never in Doubt
I can’t pretend to know too much about his opponent, Big Stacks. From the brief clips I’d seen, his technique didn’t strike me as showing even the basics I’d expect from an amateur boxer.
But that doesn’t mean it won’t sting if you get clubbed around the head by him. He also had more experience than Collins, and being brave enough to take a punch doesn’t make taking it any less dangerous.
Ever since hearing that the Ginger Pele was going to lace up his boxing gloves, my instinct has been the same: I just didn’t want him to get hurt. Getting back up and finishing the fight deserves respect, but it doesn’t change that concern.
Hopefully Collins Can Leave It There
I’m all for celebrity sport, whether it’s charity football matches or pro-am golf. Boxing is different, though, because the consequences can be so severe.
Even highly skilled, highly trained fighters such as Michael Watson and Gerald McClellan suffered life-changing brain injuries in the ring. Those cases have stayed with me as a boxing fan, and they’re part of the reason I struggle to enjoy watching someone I admire take those risks.
So excuse me if I don’t overly celebrate one of my favourite former West Ham players getting involved in Misfits boxing. That comes from affection for Ginge, and wanting him to enjoy his life after football.
Hopefully he’s come through it healthy and pocketed a nice bundle of cash. My own wish is that he can mark it down to experience, hang up the gloves and never fight again.
Big stacks is a big guy, 6’5″, not a lot bigger than Ginge but notably bigger in the photo of the fight I saw. Ginge looked a lot older though although he’s only 43.
I’m not sure where I stand on this when opponents are of similar size, there’s not divisions in boxing for no reason, and when neither is an actual boxer.
Didn’t Razor fight an actual boxer way back ?
I’ve thought about it. I was 6’4″ but now 6’3″ and nigh on 70, but 35 years ago I’d likely have been up for a rumble with Big Stacks so I can’t say that Ginge shouldn’t do now. He was knocked down but went the distance, he had nothing to prove to us though did he.