Liam Davies vs Nathaniel Collins Set for Blockbuster British Showdown in Birmingham

Liam Davies and Nathaniel Collins are set for a blockbuster British showdown in Birmingham on September 26.

Since moving up to featherweight, Davies has re-established himself as one of Britain's best with two dominant performances. He will look to continue that momentum when he faces Scotland's own Nathaniel Collins, with both men looking to force their way towards world title contention.

Since signing with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions, Davies has been one of British boxing's standout talents. He built a credible résumé while competing at super bantamweight, earning British and European titles while setting his sights on becoming world champion.

While chasing a world title, a super fight with one of boxing's elite in Naoya Inoue appeared to be a possibility. However, Davies first had to get through amateur rival and fellow unbeaten prospect Shabaz Masoud. It was a close bout which brought the best out of both men, with Davies suffering the first defeat of his professional career via split decision.

That defeat ultimately led to his decision to move up a weight division and, in hindsight, it appears to have been a great move for his career. His two performances since moving to featherweight have been disciplined displays that have highlighted his boxing ability and established him as a serious player in the division.

His last fight came on the undercard of Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin in Manchester, where he earned a sixth-round stoppage against unconventional Italian Francesco Grandelli. In the wake of that victory, Davies called for bigger names, with his professional record now standing at 18 wins and just one defeat.

In Birmingham, Nathaniel Collins will represent Davies' toughest test since his first career defeat. Although the Englishman appears to have taken well to the featherweight division, there are still questions to be answered as he continues to step up in competition.

Nicknamed 'The Nightmare', Collins looked set to become Scotland's next boxing star following Josh Taylor's retirement from the sport, particularly after his domestic dust-up against Lee McGregor. The contest was Collins' biggest outing at the time, and he made a major statement by dismantling McGregor inside four rounds.

He has built his reputation by taking meaningful fights and collecting belts rather than simply stacking his record against lower-level competition, helping him build a record of 17 victories, one defeat and one draw.

His only defeat came in his most recent bout against Cristobal Lorente, a rematch after their first meeting ended in a draw. Collins is aiming high in his return and will look to steal the show when he faces Davies in Birmingham.

Collins relies on timing more than physical strength and is a sharp counter-punching southpaw. He will look to force Davies into short exchanges where 'The Nightmare' can get off his best and most destructive shots.

For Warren, the appeal of Liam Davies vs Nathaniel Collins is the danger both men bring to the ring. The Queensberry chief said:

"Liam and Nathaniel are both all-action fighters and both possess the power to close the show at any moment."

This bout is a gateway to the world stage, and a big performance could see Warren push the winner towards an even bigger fight. Can Davies manage another step up in level at featherweight? Can Collins bounce back from his first career defeat?

In the co-main event, Nathan Heaney and Gerome Warburton meet in an immediate rematch following their first fight in March, which ended in a decision victory for Warburton.

Stoke's beloved son is calling time on his career after this bout, having been one of British boxing's most entertaining competitors in recent years. He will have one final walkout with his travelling fans behind him as he looks to bring his career to a fitting end.

Warburton will be looking for the same result as last time after outpointing and outclassing Heaney in March. The Welshman now has the opportunity to settle the rivalry with another victory over his opponent.

The Hitman's services to the sport have not gone unnoticed, with promoter Frank Warren giving his thoughts on Heaney's retirement fight:

"He's given so much to British Boxing and he deserves the opportunity to settle the score with his fans behind him."

We can expect another huge atmosphere when Heaney's Stoke anthem hits the arena in Birmingham, and a win for the 37-year-old would provide the perfect send-off.

In the main event, two highly skilled British contenders will put everything on the line as they look to move one step closer to the world stage.