The judge in the action by the British boxing promoter, Mr Barry Hearn, against the Dublin boxer Steve Collins yesterday reserved his decision on an application by Mr Hearn to amend his pleadings.
The decision to apply to the High Court to change the pleadings came at the end of eight days of evidence on behalf of Mr Hearn and just before the defence case opened.
After hearing legal submissions from both sides yesterday, Mr Justice O'Sullivan asked counsel not to despair. While he had other matters to deal with on Monday, he might be able to deliver his decision on the issue next Tuesday. The judge said he was anxious to maintain the momentum of the trial.
Yesterday was the 10th day of the hearing in which Mr Hearn and his company Matchroom Boxing Ltd are alleging that Mr Collins breached a management agreement. This is being denied by Mr Collins.
Mr Hearn claims Mr Collins entered negotiations with a rival promoter, Mr Frank Warren, after his win over Chris Eubank on March 18th, 1995, and later signed an agreement with Mr Warren. Mr Collins began his evidence this week and is expected to resume next week.