Former Premier League and Wales international James Collins has signed with Misfits Boxing to make his fighting debut on October 10, stepping in on short notice after TV personality Tom Skinner pulled out of a scheduled bout. Collins, 43, will face a boxer known as Big Stacks, who bills himself as the 'UK's Hardest Man', on a card that also features Alex Pereira's coach Plinio Cruz taking on Chase DeMoor. Collins played over 200 games across two spells at West Ham and earned more than 50 caps for Wales before retiring from football in 2020.
Former Welsh international footballer James Collins is reportedly set to make his combat sports debut under the Misfits Boxing banner on October 10, stepping in on short notice after TV personality Tom Skinner withdrew from the bout.
Collins, 43, spent the bulk of his professional football career in England's top flight, most notably across two stints at West Ham United where he made more than 200 appearances. A central defender who earned over 50 caps for the Welsh national team, Collins hung up his boots in 2020 after a career that spanned the Premier League and beyond.
His reported opponent goes by the name Big Stacks, a figure who markets himself as the "UK's Hardest Man." The matchup has not been officially confirmed, and details surrounding the contest remain subject to change given the short-notice circumstances of Collins's involvement.
The October 10 card is also said to feature Alex Pereira's trainer Plinio Cruz in action against Chase DeMoor, adding further intrigue to what shapes up as a celebrity and crossover boxing event.
Why it matters
- Collins brings genuine name recognition from a lengthy top-level football career, which raises the profile of this Misfits Boxing card.
- The short-notice nature of the signing means the bout's status as a formal, confirmed contest has not been established.
- The presence of Plinio Cruz, known for his close association with UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, gives the event an additional connection to the mainstream MMA world.
- Crossover boxing events on the Misfits platform have drawn significant streaming audiences, meaning Collins's debut could reach a broad audience well outside traditional boxing circles.
