‘King of Sheffield’: Mourners prepare for huge funeral of bare-knuckle boxer Willy Collins

Former bare-knuckle fighter Willy Collins, dubbed the ‘King of Sheffield’, died suddenly while on holiday in Spain to celebrate his wife Kathleen’s birthday.

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Also known as ‘Big Willy Collins’, the 49-year-old dad-of-nine, from Darnall, collapsed on the island of Majorca last month.

His funeral is to be held at Shiregreen Cemetery at 1pm tomorrow, with large crowds expected.

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The funeral procession is due to start near to the Old Ball Pub in Darnall at 10.30am and will take mourners through Pitsmoor, where Willy grew up.

There will be a graveside mass and burial to allow social distancing.

Sheffield Council and South Yorkshire Police have rejected family claims that pubs in the city have been advised to close on the day of the funeral.

Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure, said arrangements have been made to support mourners at the cemetery and to help the funeral procession travel through the city ‘smoothly’.

She said: “We have thought carefully about public safety and the potential risks to those attending, and as we expect more mourners than our policy currently stipulates, we have now made the decision to open the cemetery toilets during the service.

“We expect there may be some travel disruption on the day as the procession travels through the city and we will support this to happen as smoothly and respectfully as possible for mourners. Local pubs and businesses are not required to close on Saturday and have not been asked to do so.”

South Yorkshire Police said: “This is a private event, but one which is likely to have a large attendance. Therefore, we would remind anyone who chooses to attend, to observe social distancing guidelines, to keep everyone safe while paying their respects.

“We have not instructed any licensed premises to close or refuse service to any members of the public.

“Any private venue making decisions of this nature are not at the request of South Yorkshire Police.”