As the likes of Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank made the world stand up and take notice, the Cabra middleweight struggled to match their swagger and success. In Boston in 1990 he lost his shot at the WBA middleweight crown against Mike McCallum over 12 rounds while two years later he was again beaten to the belt, losing a split decision against Reggie Johnson in New Jersey. That was the low point. The highs would quickly follow.

Despite those defeats, Collins had gained a reputation as one of the hardest fighters on the planet. In a career spanning 39 fights he was never stopped short of the distance and in 1994 he finally became a world champion, knocking out Chris Pyatt in the fifth to win the WBO middleweight crown. But having tasted success, he soon wanted more and vacated his world title to move to super middleweight. It was there Chris Eubank was king.

Disliked because of his arrogance, Eubank had never been beaten in any of his previous 43 fights, drawing twice.

Born in London, he had spent much of his early life in a New York ghetto and decided to turn professional after running up a $250 phone bill his mother couldn't afford. Many believed he was never the same fighter after he left Michael Watson in a coma following their gruelling bout in 1991.

For a time he contemplated quitting the sport and from then until he took on Collins at short notice he had only knocked out one opponent, instead becoming an out-fighter, preferring to win on points. However, it didn't halt the hype surrounding the WBO Super Middleweight title bout.

Despite being described by one English journalist as a cow shed, promoter Barry Hearn was suitably impressed with the Green Glens arena and the fight was set for Millstreet on Patrick's weekend, 1995.

Collins entered the ring, supposedly hypnotised and claiming he was invincible and unable to feel pain. Eubank was shook and eventually went down in the eighth. However, the champion responded and left Collins on the canvas in the 10th.

Given Collins had claimed he had been approached by ReadyMix concrete as they were interested in sponsoring his chin it gave Eubank a boost. However he could not overhaul the points deficit and by the finish judge Roy Francis scored the fight 117-113.

Judge Cesar Ramos scored the fight 114-112 and judge Ismael W Fernandez 114-112. All in favour of the new WBO Super Middleweight champion of the world, Steve Collins.