Boxing: Eubank in hot water

Chris Eubank has been criticised by a leading British boxing official after claiming he should have "killed" Steve Collins when they met in their first World Boxing Organisation title fight over two years ago.

The general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, John Morris, warned that Eubank's remarks - made on Channel Five's Live and Dangerous programme - may lead to an official reprimand or fine.

The former champion had been talking about the loss of his unbeaten record to Collins in their WBO super-middleweight title fight in March 1995.

Four years earlier, Eubank inflicted so much damage on Michael Watson that he is still confined to a wheelchair and Eubank felt he had been too cautious after that.

"It was very human of me to feel not guilt, not remorse, but caution," Eubank said. "It was very good of me to be cautious when fighting fighters after that fight. But in hindsight I should not have been cautious - that is the business.

"It will sound bad and callous, but years after - and I came to this understanding after I let Steve Collins get away after I knocked him down and didn't go after him - I didn't want to kill him. But I should have killed him. Or let me use different words - his life is not more important than my career. In boxing, a man's life is not more important than [another] man's career."

Morris said: "Any comments from anyone that refers to death in the ring fills me with horror and anger. I do not believe that is warranted in any circumstances, in any sport. This sounds very stupid and if it is brought officially to our attention, we will have to consider what action will be taken."

Eubank yesterday insisted he did not mean any offence. "Perhaps I should have used another word, but it was not meant to be taken literally. It was just a figure of speech, meaning to win at all costs, and if a man gets hurt, that is the nature of the business.

"It was not meant to sound callous. I was talking about the intellect and attitude you have got to have in order to be ruthless. But when I use these words, it creates controversy. When you are honest, you get into trouble."