Collins Gears Up for Crucial Rematch Against Lorente
Scottish boxer Nathaniel Collins has subjected his body to intense training in pursuit of a significant step toward his world title aspirations.
Following their October draw in Glasgow, Collins and Spain's Cristobal Lorente are set to face each other again at the Hydro Arena later this month, with the stakes elevated considerably.
The victor of this bout will secure the position of official mandatory challenger for the WBC featherweight title.
"I am feeling great - the camp has been brutal, I have put my body through hell and back, so I am really looking forward to just getting out there and going and getting the job done," Collins told BBC Scotland.
"I have just done more training sessions, longer training sessions, harder training sessions. We took ourselves away to Los Angeles for eight, nine days for world-class sparring with world champions, so I have really left no stone unturned.
"It was amazing, I sparred the previous featherweight world champion, he has just moved up [a weight], Mark Magsayo. I sparred with a couple of Russian guys, it was exceptional.
"The sparring out in America, it is different to what you get here. You are in with people who have been there at world level at different weights, multiple weights.
"They don't know you, they don't care about you, they are coming to take your head off basically, so it is not friendly, everybody is watching you."
Collins Reflects on Previous Draw and Career Progression
Collins holds an almost flawless professional record, with the draw against the equally undefeated Lorente being the sole blemish in his 18 senior fights.
"I have felt for a long time it has been my time, but I am getting on," the boxer nicknamed 'The Nightmare' acknowledged.
"I am 30 years old this year, I have been in the game a long time, so it is definitely time to break through and become the person that I think I should be and I am meant to be.
"I have been in the game 14, 15 years now, so it is not as if it is a small build-up which has just happened. I have really been through every stage, from nothing to here.
"It is the final hurdle, I have overcome loads of different blocks and bits and bobs where I have been like 'am I going to make it? Am I going to get there?' And then this is the last one before the big prize."
Details of Previous Encounter and Lessons Learned
In their October meeting at Braehead Arena, Collins started strongly, but Lorente rallied, resulting in a split decision draw with scores of 115-113, 113-115, and 114-114.
Since then, Lorente has vacated the European featherweight title that was also contested during their first bout.
"The crowd kind of took over once I got him hurt and I thought the knockout was coming, I was looking for it," Collins recalled.
"When I fought Lee McGregor at the Hydro [last May], I took my time, I picked my shots even when I had him hurt. This time I went gung-ho, it was a bit out of character for me."
