Collins was a Cardiff-born growing up in the inner-city district of Canton. At the age of 17, he was selected as the sole member of the Wales boxing team to compete in the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. Collins reached the final where he faced Leonard Leisching of South Africa, the then current Olympic lightweight bronze medalist. Collins lost the final to take the silver medal. Four years later, and still an amateur Collins was selected for the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, held in his home country of Wales. Collins build up to the Games was dogged by problems. Before the Games Collins entered the British Amateur Boxing Association lightweight competition. In the semi-final Collins broke his left-hand, but still won the fight. He also took the final, one handed, to win the title, but in the lead up to the Empire Games Collins was left with his hand in plaster. A few weeks before the Games the plaster was removed and Collins was declared fit to lead the ten man Wales team. Not only was Collins chosen as the head of the boxing squad but was also given the honour of being the flag-bearer for the Wales team in the opening ceremony. In his first round Collins out-pointed New Zealand fighter Maurice Purton which led to a semi-final bout with South African Gert Coetzee, Collins again won on points. On the finals' day both Collins and Wales team-mate Howard Winstone had a chance to win a gold medal. Winstone's match was first and he succeeded in defeating Australian Olly Taylor. Collins was next and faced Taylor's brother Wally. Collins started slowly, and although a late flurry saw him floor Taylor in the last round the Australian had done enough and took the decision and the gold medal leaving Collins with a second Commonwealth silver. Despite calls to turn professional Collins quit boxing after the 1958 Commonwealth Games, working as a linotype operatorfor the South Wales Echo. Despite no longer fighting Collins retained a connection to his sport, and managed several Wales amateur teams at European championships and at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
