Collier KOs Wills to Retain State Title

Dee Collier of Los Angeles retained his state heavyweight title with a seventh-round technical knockout of Mark Wills of Van Nuys at the Spruce Goose Dome in Long Beach.

Referee Pat Connolly stopped the bout midway through the seventh round after Collier had staggered Wills. Connolly said Wills looked glassy-eyed. The decision was roundly booed by many of the 1,300 spectators at Monday night’s fight.

The ending seemed so abrupt because Wills had been ahead on points and had staggered Collier a round earlier with a strong right hand.

It was the second meeting between the two. Collier (10-6, eight knockouts) won a close decision over Wills (10-7-1, seven knockouts) a year ago at the Country Club in Reseda.