On the line this time for Collins is the full EBU European belt currently adorning the waist of Cristobal Lorente, the Spanish champion who claimed the title last summer and has subsequently defended it twice, the latter via a contentious draw with countryman Ruben Gill.
Collins, naturally, would like to take that strap into his own possession but it says much about the Bearsden boxer’s ambitions that the prospect of becoming the European titleholder at 126lb is very much secondary in his mind to the other prize on offer.
This contest has also been designated a final eliminator for a crack at the WBC world title and it is that possibility that is driving on the unbeaten Collins as he looks to build on his devastating stoppage of Lee McGregor last time out with another clinical performance against Lorente.
“Throughout the build-up to this fight all I’ve seen is people saying, ‘Nathaniel is challenging for the European title’,” he says. “Not once in this camp have I thought about the European title at all.
“All I’ve thought about is that it’s a world title eliminator. [Lorente] is good, he’s a European champion, he’s awkward. But it doesn’t really matter what he brings as I’m going to bring what I bring. I’m always looking to make a statement every time I go out there and Saturday will be no different.”
Lorente hadn’t fought outside of his native Spain until he took the European title from Mauro Forte in Albania 15 months ago but doesn’t seem daunted by having to come to Glasgow to try to halt Collins when the Scot is in this sort of form.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment all of my life,” the Barcelona boxer said through a translator. “This is my moment to shine. I’m a tactical fighter with a lot of skills so I can be good in every moment of every fight. I’m a more intelligent fighter than him.”
That last comment bemused Collins, adding more fuel to what ought to be a compelling headline act at a venue where the likes of Scott Harrison, Ricky Burns and Josh Taylor enjoyed their own career-defining nights.
“He’s saying he’s a more intelligent or tactical fighter – I don’t believe that,” replied the Kynoch Boxing southpaw. “And I don’t believe he believes that either. I’m going to make a big statement to the rest of the world on Saturday night. Just as I did with my last fight. My name is going to be up in lights again.”
Taylor was there, too, in his new role as an analyst for Queensberry/DAZN and believes Collins has what it takes to succeed him as Scotland’s next world champion, perhaps even emulating his greatest achievement by going on eventually to become undisputed across the division.
“Nathaniel had that great victory over Lee McGregor last time out but this is his chance to announce himself that he’s one of the leading guys who can be challenging for [world] titles,” said the one-time Tartan Tornado of the WBC ranked No1.
“So, this is a big opportunity for him. I’ve got every confidence and faith that he comes through this one and gets the win. If he wins this, it puts him in the top 15 in the world and then he’s within touching distance of a world title fight in the near future. I think he’ll take this opportunity with both hands.”
The main support act sees Collins’ stablemate and training partner, Regan Glackin, take on Englishman Louie O’Doherty for the vacant British lightweight belt. Both fighters are undefeated and Glackin underlined the significance of the contest for him.
“It’s all about timing and if I’m not ready now, I will never be,” said the Glaswegian. “All the steps I’ve taken – Scottish and Celtic titles – are good but they mean nothing. I’m coming into this fight with a challenger’s mentality. It’s a vacant belt that I’ve been mandatory for for over a year and I’ve got my shot now. I believe my hard work will prove the difference.”
Elsewhere on the card, Willy Hutchinson makes his first Scottish appearance for seven years, Aston Brown and Paul Kean compete for the Celtic middleweight title, while rising star Marcus Sutherland makes his first outing since signing for Queensberry when he takes on Harsh Saroha.
Alex Arthur Jr and Drew Limond – whose dads, Alex and Willie, fought for the British title at this venue 22 years ago – also take the next steps in their own nascent boxing careers.
