Adversity can be a pivotal moment in a fighter’s career – the crucial test is how they respond when challenges arise. This question not only applies during bouts when the momentum shifts against you but also in moments when your career faces unexpected setbacks.
Rising heavyweight talent Moses Itauma has recently encountered such a turning point following his surprising loss to Filip Hrgovic. Similarly, Scotland’s Nathaniel Collins is at a career juncture as he prepares to face England’s Liam Davies in Birmingham this Saturday.
Collins, nicknamed ‘The Nightmare,’ was on the verge of gaining worldwide recognition after decisively beating compatriot Lee McGregor at Glasgow’s Hydro in May 2025. His next challenge came last October against the European featherweight champion Cristobal Lorente at Braehead. While Collins dominated the early rounds, his unsuccessful attempts to secure a knockout drove him to use up valuable energy, allowing the resilient Spaniard to rally and force a draw.
Their rematch at the Hydro in April was a WBC world eliminator, putting Collins just one victory away from a coveted title shot. Despite knocking Lorente down in the sixth round, Collins narrowly lost a split decision on the judges’ scorecards. This marked the first loss of his professional career and has prompted him to reassess and reset his approach.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, Collins reflected, “The fights with Lorente taught me to slow things down. I’ve learned to appreciate the training camps and the process, instead of viewing it as a grind. Now, I actually feel happy while training and living a more normal life, rather than seeing boxing as just a job. That loss lifted a weight off my shoulders, and although it set me back, it’s helped me grow as a person.”
He added, “I’m throwing myself back in at the deep end – it’s going to be sink or swim, so we’ll see what happens.”
Davies, who like Collins is 30 years old, has bounced back from a defeat to Shabaz Masoud in November 2024 with victories over Kurt Walker and Francesco Grandelli. Both fighters understand that time is against them as they seek to reclaim their places on the world stage.
Despite fighting away from his supportive Glasgow crowd this time, Collins feels no added pressure. “I actually prefer being the away fighter because the pressure isn’t on me—it’s on someone else,” he explained. “Though I love the Hydro and the amazing fans there, it’s relieving not to carry that burden now. Still, after this fight, I hope to return home.”
Regarding his upcoming bout, Collins shared, “I expect Davies to come at me full force. I’ve studied his style and even sparred with him, so I know it’ll be intense. But from my experience with Lorente, I’ve learned that rushing in headstrong won’t work. Patience and striking at the right moment will see everything fall into place.”
Fan Take: This upcoming clash matters deeply to fight fans as it highlights the resilience needed to overcome career setbacks and the fine margins determining success at the elite level. How Collins and Davies perform could significantly influence the next generation of contenders and showcase the unyielding spirit that boxing demands.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
