Boxing: Collins backs Braehead for Ormond win

Dublin super-featherweight boxer Steve Ormond must regard Glasgow’s Braehead Arena, where he clashes on Saturday, March 10, with Queensferry’s ex- British featherweight champion Paul Appleby for the vacant Celtic 9st 7lb crown, as his lucky venue.

Not without good cause, as Ormond’s coach Pascal Collins – brother of former WBO super-middleweight champion Steve, who also helps train the boxer, explained: “Just look at Steve Ormond’s record at Braehead. In his last three fights there he outpointed Londoner Johnny Greaves and stopped both Mickey Coveney and Sebastiasn Cornu inside the distance.

“I’d normally tip my man to stop or knockout Appleby next week in Glasgow – but I won’t. Why? Because I watched Appleby in his last fight for the Commonwealth title against Liam Walsh and although Walsh won, Appleby showed enough to make me think that this is going to be Steve’s toughest challenge yet.’’

Ormond has been in the US working with ex-world champion and now trainer Joey Gamache sparring with top-notch Americans.

Meanwhile, Appleby has already gone on record claiming that he is equally confident of victory, saying: “Ormond is a good opponent but I will be fired up and ready for him.’’

On the same Breahead bill, Edinburgh cruiserweight Steve Simmons will clash with Birmingham-based Hastings Rasani.