Former West Ham United defender James Collins is preparing for a new challenge away from football, and he wants the club’s supporters behind him every step of the way.
James Collins goes from pitch to the ring next month as the former Premier League star makes his boxing debut under the Misfits Boxing banner. The 43-year-old Welshman has accepted the fight on short notice and will take on internet personality Big Stacks, who famously brands himself as the “UK’s hardest man.”
Collins enjoyed a distinguished football career, making more than 200 appearances for West Ham across two spells with the club. He also earned over 50 caps for Wales and competed in hundreds of Premier League matches before retiring in 2020.
Now, the former defender is trading his football boots for boxing gloves. The bout was announced after television personality Tom Skinner withdrew from a scheduled clash with Big Stacks on Misfits Boxing’s October 10 event in London. Collins has stepped in as the replacement and will make his combat sports debut at the Copper Box Arena in Stratford.
Following the announcement, Collins reached out to West Ham supporters and urged them to come out and support him on fight night.
“So, this is happening,” Collins wrote on Instagram. “Would love it West Ham heavy in there on the night. Would love your support.”
The event will be headlined by Joey Essex and Dapper Laughs, with several high-profile crossover boxing bouts also scheduled for the card.
For Collins, the move marks a dramatic transition from football to combat sports. The former centre-back featured for clubs including West Ham United and Aston Villa, represented Wales at the European Championships, and appeared in both FA Cup and League Cup finals during his playing career.
Now, James Collins goes from pitch to the ring as he looks to begin a new chapter in front of a home crowd in London.
His opponent, Big Stacks — whose real name is Charlie Richard — enters the contest with boxing experience already under his belt. The social media personality recently earned a second-round technical knockout victory over rapper Jordan McCann at a Misfits Boxing event in Newcastle.
Big Stacks was also scheduled to face bodybuilder Armz Korleone earlier this year before withdrawing due to a lip injury.
Despite stepping into unfamiliar territory, Collins appears eager to embrace the challenge. With West Ham fans expected to be in attendance, the former defender will be hoping their support helps him make a successful transition from the football pitch to the boxing ring.
