On September 9, 1995, exactly 29 years ago, the fierce rivalry between the Irish “Celtic Warrior” Steve Collins and the Englishman Chris Eubank, nicknamed “Simply the Best,” reached its second and final chapter. This rematch confirmed the outcome of their first fight, which had taken place just under six months earlier: the WBO super-middleweight world title, which Collins had shocked the world by taking from Eubank, remained firmly in the hands of the Irishman, who cemented his superiority in even clearer fashion. To celebrate the anniversary of that thrilling fight, contested in an unforgettable atmosphere, let’s dive back into the past with our in-depth look at this iconic sports rivalry.
The Unbeatable Champion and the Rising Warrior
When the two fighters first crossed paths, their status in the boxing world was quite different. Chris Eubank had already achieved a position of great prominence, having become a world champion first at middleweight and then at super-middleweight, racking up an impressive total of seventeen world title defenses. “Simply the Best” was a true star in his homeland, thanks in part to some epic battles against the top British fighters in his division. His derby bouts with Nigel Benn and Michael Watson had kept UK fans on the edge of their seats, delivering unforgettable excitement.
Unlike the reigning champion, whose star had shone brightly from his early days on the international stage, Collins’ journey was much tougher. The Celtic Warrior had tasted the bitter sting of defeat three times before becoming world champion. First, he was schooled by the much more experienced Mike McCallum in 1990, and later, in 1992, he lost close decisions to Steve Johnson and Italy’s Sumbu Kalambay. However, these setbacks helped him grow and find his footing, and after finally claiming the WBO middleweight world title from England’s Chris Pyatt, he immediately moved up to challenge the mighty Eubank at 168 pounds.
Ireland in Frenzy: Eubank Defeated for the First Time!
On March 18, 1995, at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, the tension was palpable. The already fiery atmosphere of the buildup had been further stoked by a bizarre controversy between the fighters: Collins claimed he had been hypnotized by a specialist to convince himself he was invincible, a statement that infuriated Eubank and his team, who believed the Irishman’s altered psychological state could unfairly influence the fight. After the bout, Collins admitted he had made the whole thing up to unsettle his rival, and judging by Eubank’s surprisingly panicked reaction, it worked! But what truly mattered was what happened in the ring: Collins managed the distance brilliantly, controlling the champion’s bursts of energy and even dropping him with a perfect body shot in the eighth round. Eubank, caught flat-footed by the blow, attempted a desperate late comeback, scoring a knockdown of his own in the tenth round, but couldn’t find the finishing punch. The judges unanimously awarded the victory to Collins, sending the Irish crowd into a frenzy.
The Decider: Collins Confirms His Reign!
No more hypnosis, no more excuses: just under six months after the shocking dethroning that took place in March, Collins and Eubank faced off once more, again on Irish soil. This time, the fight was held at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork, but the crowd’s support was no less fervent. If they had carried their hero to victory in the first encounter, this time they needed to help him stay at the top by fending off the hated English fighter. Those expecting Collins to repeat the strategy that had allowed him to pull off the upset in Millstreet were in for a shock: the Celtic Warrior abandoned his usual boxer-puncher style and unleashed a relentless assault from the opening bell. Eubank, who had long been feared and respected for his cat-like reflexes and hand speed, was overwhelmed by the ferocious aggression, falling further behind on the scorecards as the rounds passed without being able to mount a meaningful counterattack. Once again, Eubank only came to life in the final rounds, but with far less intensity than in the first fight, and after enduring much more punishment. Incredibly, despite Collins’ victory being even more decisive and convincing than in March, he was awarded only a split decision.
It was a heavy blow to the pride of Eubank, a man who had spent his entire career proclaiming himself “simply the best” and who, at just 29 years old, had suddenly found someone stronger than him. It’s no coincidence that Eubank hinted at retirement after the second defeat in Ireland, only to change his mind and fight five more times, though he never reclaimed his lost glory. That glory now belonged to Collins, who successfully defended his title six more times before retiring as the reigning champion, knowing it was time to hang up his gloves.