Fighting at welterweight, Collins won his first 14 fights as a professional, before being matched against Puerto Rican boxer Luis Resto on 16 June 1983, on the undercard of the Roberto Durán vs Davey Moore light-middleweight title fight.
Fighting at welterweight, Collins won his first 14 fights as a professional, among them a decision win over future world title challenger Harold Brazier. On 16 June 1983, he was matched against Puerto Rican boxer Luis Resto at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of the Roberto Durán vs Davey Moore light-middleweight title fight.