Former Wales and Aston Villa star becomes boxer as he fights ‘UK’s hardest man’

He's set to step into the ring in London next month

By Tom Coleman · Wales Online

Published: Monday, 28 September 2026 at 8:34 AM

Key Things to Know

James Collins will make his boxing debut against content creator Big Stacks on October 10.
The bout takes place at the Copper Box Arena in London on a Misfits Boxing undercard.
Collins replaces former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner after Skinner withdrew for unclarified reasons.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former Wales and Aston Villa defender James Collins is set to make his boxing debut next month. The 43-year-old will fight social media creator Big Stacks on October 10 at London's Copper Box Arena as part of a Misfits Boxing event headlined by Joey Essex and Dapper Laughs.

Collins steps in as a replacement for Thomas Skinner, who withdrew from the bout for unclarified reasons. Collins retired from professional football in 2019 following a career featuring 51 caps for Wales and stints with Cardiff City, West Ham United, and Aston Villa.

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Former Wales and Aston Villa star becomes boxer as he fights ‘UK’s hardest man’

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