Boxing
Road to Glasgow: How have Nathaniel Collins and Cristobal Lorente reached featherweight dance?
Nathaniel Collins looks to further cement his place in the world featherweight order when he takes on Cristobal Lorente at Glasgow's Braehead Arena on October 4 live on DAZN.
'The Nightmare' dispatched Lee McGregor inside four rounds earlier this year to underline his credentials as a serious threat in a splintered division with plenty up for grabs.
Now, he moves against an unbeaten European contender in Lorente who offers a serious test of his stopping power and presents an intriguing opponent to face off against.
But just how did both men come to this major face-off? DAZN News looks at the last five fights of each fighter and profiles what has guided them to this latest opportunity.
Nathaniel Collins (17-0)
- Age: 29
- Fights: 17
- Last five: WWWWW
It's been a highly impressive progression for the former Lonsdale Belt holder in recent times, with further successful strap defences laying the platform for international success.
Two bouts in the latter half of 2023, against Raza Hamza and Zak Miller, displayed both sides of his game, ranging from a first-round knockout to a gritty majority decision win.
Francesco Grandelli subsequently fell by unanimous decision at London's York Hall in 2024, before Collins returned home in February for points success over Darwing Martinez.
That laid the path for his fourth-round knockout against McGregor and elevated his place to a number-one contender with the WBC, underlining his credentials as a top operator.
Cristobal Lorente (20-0-2)
- Age: 29
- Fights: 22
- Last five: WWWWD
Through the end of last year, the Spaniard was building a reputation that suggested he could follow Collins towards the top of the division - only for a scuffed chance this year.
Beforehand, Lorente was moving with impressive skill across the lower ranks of the European divisions, albeit with struggles to end a killer blow across his last five bouts.
He went the distance with Elias Vega and Kevin Trana in 2023, scoring unanimous decisions, before a big win over Mauro Forte was followed by victory against Grandelli too.
Subsequently, he had hoped to see off Ruben Gil - but a surprise split draw between the pair checked his momentum in July, with this bout now a chance to regather himself.
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