'COLLINS PUNCHED DOORMAN AFTER HE REFUSED HIM ENTRY TO VIP AREA' Ex-boxer denies assault at stadium.

Byline: BY SARAH STACK

BOXING hero Steve Collins warned a bouncer he had seconds to get out of his way before punching him, a court was told yesterday.

The "Celtic Warrior" exploded when doorman Adrialik Voda asked him for ID, it is claimed.

He warned the Albanian security guard he had two seconds to get out of his way, "or I'll put your teeth on the floor".

A moment later Voda claims Collins cracked him on the chin with an uppercut, the Central Criminal Court heard.

The incident happened as Collins, 44, approached the door of the National Boxing Stadium in Dublin where local boxer Bernard Dunne was due to fight on June 3, 2006.

Collins, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, has pleaded not guilty to assault.

The court heard Mr Voda was checking passes at the Saturday night boxing event.

Dubliner Dunne's posting on the bill had attracted a large crowd of fans, VIPs and media.

Prosecution junior counsel Sean Gillane told Judge Des Hogan the doorman's job was to guard a side-gate where VIPs and accredited media gained access.

He said: "It appears as Mr Voda was standing at the door a man approached him and sought to walk through the door.

"As instructed, he asked to see the man's pass and the man said, 'Do you know my name?'.

"Mr Voda said, 'I do not know your name' and at that stage was pushed."

The court heard Mr Voda continued to block the door and asked the man to calm down.

It is alleged Collins replied: "F*** you and your f*****g door." Mr Gillane said Collins then gave Mr Voda two seconds to move or else he would put his teeth on the floor.

After that, MrVoda was told his two seconds were up and was punched, it was alleged.

Mr Gillane added: "He was hit underneath the chin causing a fracture to two teeth."

The court was then told the evidence would establish the man at the door was Collins.

Mr Gillane told the jury of 10 men and two women it was the prosecution's case that what took place at the stadium amounted to assault and undoubtedly caused harm to Mr Voda.

He said a complaint was subsequently made to gardai, who arrested Collins on November 15, 2006, for questioning.

Judge Hogan adjourned the case until 11am today.

Celtic Warrior

Collins, who was known as the Celtic Warrior, was crowned World Super Middleweight Champion following his win over Chris Eubank in 1995.

CAPTION(S):

SPOTLIGHT Collins and his wife Donna arrive at court; POWER Collins lost only three times; COURT BATTLE Steve Collins leaves trial in Dublin yesterday Pictures: COLLINS