James Collins is set for a surprise new chapter in his sporting life, with the 43-year-old former Wales defender confirmed to make his boxing debut against Big Stacks on October 10 at London’s Copper Box Arena.
The bout comes after Collins replaced Thomas Skinner on the Misfits Boxing card, giving the event a fresh twist and adding another familiar football name to a growing crossover scene. For a player who earned 51 caps for Wales and played for Aston Villa as well as West Ham, it is a notable switch in setting.
Big Stacks gets his biggest test yet
Misfits Boxing described the fight in pointed terms, saying: “Big Stacks finds his biggest challenger yet in former Welsh footballer James ‘Ginge’ Collins.” It also billed the show as “A huge card unravels in London on October 10” and added: “You aren’t going to want to miss this one.”
That framing makes sense. Big Stacks, who calls himself the “UK’s Hardest Man,” arrives with momentum after stopping Jordan McCann in a grudge match earlier this month. Collins, by contrast, is stepping into boxing for the first time, which gives the contest an obvious intrigue: one man with recent ring experience against another better known for what he did on a football pitch.
From the FA Cup final to the Copper Box Arena
Collins’ football background gives the fight an added layer of interest. He won a runners-up medal in the FA Cup final with West Ham in 2006, was part of the Wales squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, and hung up his boots in 2019.
That is a respectable career by any measure, and it explains why this crossover has caught attention. Former footballers entering combat sports is no longer a complete shock, but Collins brings enough pedigree to make this more than a novelty booking. The appeal is in seeing how a seasoned professional from one sport adapts to the demands of another.
The reaction around the card
The early reaction has been playful, but positive. Carlton Cole posted: “Can’t wait.” Sam Allardyce was even shorter: “Go on Ginge.”
Those comments reflect the tone around the announcement. This is not being sold as a traditional boxing clash, but it does have a clear hook: a well-known former Wales and Aston Villa player entering the Misfits world on a live London card, with an opponent who has already built a reputation for himself in this scene.
And for those asking the key questions, the answer is straightforward. James Collins will fight Big Stacks in his boxing debut, the Misfits Boxing event takes place in London on October 10, and Collins came into the bout as Thomas Skinner’s replacement.
