NATHANIEL Collins took the next jump towards world level, dismissing fellow Scotsman Lee McGregor in round four of their Glasgow meeting. “Anyone who steps into this ring is in trouble,” blasted the new WBC ‘Silver’ featherweight champion after sending his compatriot packing.
Scottish bragging rights were at stake in this good old-fashioned Edinburgh versus Glasgow rivalry. Collins stepped off and used his accurate southpaw combinations to dictate the early terms.
McGregor’s job was to drag things into the trenches. He did just that at the close of round two, briefly buzzing his foe with a crunching left hand.
The lead feet were noticeably tapping together as Collins’ gumshield flew out in the third. McGregor continued tying up and grappling. “He might just have to get down and dirty and rough up Collins,” remarked DAZN lead commentator Adam Smith as the fight got messier still.
That was until a dramatic, sudden twist in the fourth that saw McGregor sink to the canvas on three occasions as Collins found a hole in the armour. Starting with slicing hooks that sent Lee down, a second flurry had McGregor in huge trouble.
The final word came down to the body, resulting in the towel flying in from McGregor’s corner to rescue their man from further punishment. Referee Mark Lyson durifully waved it off at 1-45 of round four.
‘Lightning’ Lee McGregor is now 15-2-1 (11 KOs), severely damaging his career prospects. Winner Nathaniel Collins, 17-0 (8 KOs), will be a handful for anyone. The unused judges were Steve Mertz, Christophe Fernandez and Mark Bates.
“I’m a world-class boxer and I can punch,” asserted Collins. “I want Stephen Fulton for the real WBC [belt]. America or Riyadh, make it happen.”
