TWO boxing legends paired up for an event that raised money for an amateur club in County Durham.

Super-middleweight world champions Steve ‘The Celtic Warrior’ Collins and Nigel ‘The Dark Destroyer’ Benn attended a boxing dinner to support Shildon Amateur Boxing Club.

Proceeds from the event, held at Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre on Friday, will help Shildon ABC meet running costs and buy equipment. Benn and Collins were at the height of their careers in the late 1980s and 1990s and are both famed for memorable encounters with Chris Eubank.

Fans of all ages attended the event to meet their idols and hear about some of their life and career experiences.

An auction of boxing memorabilia also helped to boost the coffers.

Nigel Benn said: "Boxing can be so important to young people, it keeps you off the street and you can channel your energy and aggression in the ring.

"It creates opportunities for people and I know it really helped me when I was young and stopped me from going the down the wrong path. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it."

Steve Collins added: "If you can get young people in the gym and out of trouble it is a great thing, boxing is a great leveller.

"It really can be a sport for everyone and can combat negative things in people’s lives."