Key Points
- Former West Ham United defender James Collins has officially agreed to make his crossover boxing debut against influencer Charlie ‘Big Stacks’ Robert.
- The heavyweight contest is scheduled for Saturday, 10 October 2026, at the Copper Box Arena in Stratford, East London.
- The fixture will take place on the undercard of the Misfits Boxing event headlined by reality television personality Joey Essex and social media figure Dapper Laughs, broadcast live on DAZN.
- Collins stepped in on short notice to replace internet personality Tom Skinner, who was forced to pull out of the fight two weeks prior to the event.
- At 33 years old, Robert holds a 10-year age advantage over the 43-year-old former Welsh international, who made over 200 appearances for West Ham across two separate spells.
- The venue sits virtually adjacent to the London Stadium, with Collins expressing optimism that West Ham supporters will attend in large numbers to support him.
Stratford (East London Times) September 28, 2026 – Former West Ham United defender James Collins is set to make his surprise professional crossover boxing debut when he steps into the ring against streamer Charlie ‘Big Stacks’ Robert at the Copper Box Arena in East London on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
Why is James Collins stepping into the boxing ring against Big Stacks?
The 43-year-old former Welsh international accepted the heavyweight fight on short notice after streamer Tom Skinner was forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Robert just two weeks prior to the event. The match-up was officially confirmed by Misfits Boxing promoter Adam Brooks via social media platform X.
As reported by Adam Brooks of Misfits Boxing,
“I’m proud to announce that my good friend and West Ham legend, James Collins (Ginge) will be fighting Big Stacks on Misfits Boxing on October 10th at The Copperbox arena – live on DAZNboxing.”
The event, which will be broadcast globally on DAZN, features a headlining bout between reality television personality Joey Essex and comedian Dapper Laughs. Collins, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Ginger Pelé’ by football supporters, expressed hope that West Ham fans would turn out in force to make a full weekend of the spectacle due to the arena’s close proximity to the London Stadium.
How do the two heavyweight competitors compare in age and experience?
The contest features a significant age disparity between the two participants. Robert, aged 33, enters the ring ten years younger than his 43-year-old opponent. Standing 6ft 2in tall during his football career, Collins was renowned as an uncompromising physical presence at centre-back, but he enters this contest with no prior formal boxing experience.
Robert, who self-identifies as the “UK’s Hardest Man”, enters the fight following a mixed run of form within influencer boxing promotions. Earlier this year, Robert suffered a stoppage loss to Armz Korleone in a modified body-shots-only bout—a rule adjustment enforced after an unscheduled physical altercation with rapper Jordan McCann during pre-fight media engagements. Robert subsequently returned to the ring earlier this month, securing a second-round technical knockout victory over McCann.
What is the background of this unexpected Misfits Boxing development?
The crossover boxing discipline, spearheaded by promotions such as Misfits Boxing, has increasingly relied on high-profile former professional athletes to bridge the gap between traditional sports and digital media audiences.
Collins established his sporting reputation across a 19-year football career, progressing through the youth ranks at Cardiff City before joining West Ham United in 2005. Across two separate spells in East London—punctuated by a three-year stint at Aston Villa between 2009 and 2012—Collins made over 200 senior appearances for the Hammers and played in the 2006 FA Cup Final. Internationally, he earned 51 caps for Wales and was a member of the squad that reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016.
Following his retirement from professional football, Collins maintained strong ties to West Ham United through ambassadorial roles and media appearances. His opponent, Charlie ‘Big Stacks’ Robert, built a public platform through live-streaming and social media, eventually transitioning into crossover boxing under the Misfits umbrella. The fight card was originally structured to feature Robert against internet personality Tom Skinner, but Skinner’s late withdrawal prompted organizers to seek a replacement with established regional appeal in East London.
What is the prediction for how this event will affect the relevant audience?
For West Ham United supporters and the broader crossover sports audience, this event presents a distinct crossover moment that aligns traditional football fandom with influencer entertainment culture.
Given the location of the Copper Box Arena within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park—a short distance from West Ham’s home ground at the London Stadium—the event is expected to draw a substantial local contingent of football fans. For the West Ham fanbase, Collins’ participation offers a novel display of club nostalgia, likely generating high engagement across local supporter networks and social media platforms.
From an athletic standpoint, the bout represents a physical challenge for Collins, who must adapt to competitive combat sports against an opponent accustomed to the mechanics of Misfits events. Should Collins deliver a competitive performance, it may encourage additional retired football professionals to explore lucrative exhibition opportunities within influencer boxing promotions. Conversely, the strict physical demands and inherent risks of the sport will test whether established ex-athletes can successfully transition into high-profile white-collar and influencer boxing formats on short preparation windows.
