Former world super-middleweight champion Steve Collins was acting in self defence when he punched a doorman who had refused him entry in to a bout, a court has heard.

The security guard repeatedly pushed the Irish boxer and lunged at him before he was struck by Collins, it was claimed.

Adrialik Voda alleged Collins later returned to the National Boxing Stadium in Dublin and challenged the doorman to get into his car to finish the fight.

The 44-year-old Dubliner, who now lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, has pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm on June 3, 2006.

Counsel for Collins told Dublin's Circuit Criminal Court the boxer would say he was defending himself when he hit Voda.

Voda said he was assigned to check passes at a fire exit door used by the emergency services and technicians from the state broadcaster RTE, which was televising some of the fights.

He maintained when he refused access to a man who had no pass, he was sworn at, pushed and then punched - fracturing two of his teeth.

"I felt shocked,'' said the alleged victim. "I couldn't see properly. I could see double people.''

The 37-year-old maintained around 30 people witnessed the assault.

He said Collins went to a nearby ambulance, but returned and said: "I'm not finished with you. I will be back to you.''

Voda said his boss, Sean Jordan, then moved him to another door at the request of RTE who Collins was due to commentate for.

He alleged Collins later sped into a car park near him in a newly registered green coloured Audi and challenged him again.

"He came to me leaving the door open,'' Voda continued.

''He said 'come on into my car, you and me in private, and we will finish this tonight'.''

Voda said he then warned Collins - who was once dubbed the Celtic Warrior - that he would make a complaint because somebody had to pay for his front teeth.

"I was very scared. I was afraid,'' he added.

Under cross-examination, Martin Dully BL told Voda he had a number of witness statements which backed what Collins said had happened at the emergency door.

He also revealed the fight medic, Dr Joe McKeever - who treated Collins at the scene and sent him to hospital for treatment - recalled Voda being aggressive and menacing on the night.

"Mr Collins will say he struck you once acting in self defence because you were assaulting him,'' said Mr Dully.

Voda replied: ''I just did my job. I did what I did that night. That's his own action.''

Dully accused Voda of fabricating the story that Collins had returned to fight him, but instead was on his way back from hospital to appear on television.

He asked Voda could he have shaken hands with someone he told the court he was still afraid of.

Voda said that when his boss arrived Collins said he had changed his mind and came to apologise.

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