25 years ago

Date: 8th February 1997

Venue: London Arena, Millwall, London, United Kingdom

Title: WBO World Super-middleweight Title

Promoter: Sports Network (Frank Warren)

Tv: Sky Sports Box Office

Steve Collins
( 34 - 3 - 0 )
Weight: 167 1/2 lbs

Frederic Seillier
( 43 - 6 - 3 )
Weight: 167 1/2 lbs

Defending the WBO World Super-middleweight Title he won from Chris Eubank in March 1995 for the sixth time, Steve Collins faced his No 1 ranked contender in France's Frederic Seillier on a huge night of boxing on Frank Warrens "Up Close and personal" promotion at the London Arena.

Collins started slowly and didn't look anywhere near his best but Seillier was not able to take advantage of the champions low-intensity work rate.

The Frenchman picked up two nasty cuts, one on his nose and the other to his left eyebrow. Referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight on the advice of the ringside doctor at 2:20 of the 5th round.

Collins made one more defence of the title against American Craig Cummings five months later and retired from boxing.