BOXING star Steve Collins was among hundreds of people at a Bolton amateur boxing night organised to raise money for a seriously ill woman.

The former WBO world middleweight and super middleweight champion was guest of honour at the Albert Halls for the sell-out show.

Forty boxers from Bolton, Ireland, Oldham, Liverpool and Scotland took part in the event, helping to raise more than £1,500 to pay for revolutionary treatment for cancer victim Gemma Feeney, aged 26, from Deane.

Gemma needs to raise at least £25,000 to pay for a procedure known as Cyberknife Surgery, only available in America, to remove two tumours on her spine.

Steve Collins, aged 40, known as the "Celtic Warrior" and famed for toppling Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, paid tribute to Gemma's bravery.

"Gemma is such a fighter," said the Irish champion. "If she was a man, then I would have only been the second best middleweight boxer in the world. She would have been first."

Gemma, a huge boxing fan, said she was overwhelmed by the support.

"I've had so many people offering donations," she said. "I have had people phoning me up who I haven't seen since I was at primary school. I am so grateful for all the work that has gone into organising the boxing night."

She said her old primary school, St Mary's in Deane, and the Ikon nightclub in the town centre had been in touch about possible fundraising events.

Last night's event was organised by John Hart, head boxing coach at Bolton Lads and Girls Club. Phil Marshall, youth club manager at the club, said there had been a huge amount of interest in the boxing night. All of the 550 seats had been sold and he could have booked a bigger venue.

Gemma has already had to have surgery when a brain tumour had to be removed in 2002. Earlier this year doctors at the Christie Hospital found that the cancer had returned, this time on her spine. Gemma will have to endure several months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

However, the Cyberknife Surgery would give Gemma an opportunity to reclaim her life.

The boxing bout was the first of a number of events over the next few months organised by family and friends of Gemma.