RICKY BURNS, the ex two-weight world champion from Coatbridge, may be facing a watershed in his career as he prepares to undertake his 45th bout at Liverpool’s Echo Arena this evening.
Burns versus Australian Josh King for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title may not excite the taste buds or stir the passion of boxing aficionados nationwide, but the Scot dare not contemplate a fourth defeat in six contests since his controversial draw with Mexican Raymundo Beltran in September 2013.
Prior to that inglorious run, Burns had tasted defeat only twice in his previous 38 contests, giving rise to conjecture that losing his status as the WBO lightweight champion to American Terence Crawford has left a permanent scar.
A unanimous points defeat ended Burns’ 42 month reign as WBO super-featherweight and lightweight champion, in succession, but, at 32 he still believes himself capable of contending for major titles.
Burns is driven by desire to make history by becoming the first Scot to achieve the distinction of being a three-time world champion.
He is also keen to silence his critics after claiming that his narrow defeat by former WBC lightweight champion Omar Figueroa in Texas in May instead of demoralising him further has in fact breathed fresh life into his career.
Burns, who stopped Ghanaian Prince Ofotsu inside five rounds in his most recent bout three months ago, said: “The Figueroa fight was tough at 141lbs but I felt like I boxed well and it’s given me plenty of confidence going forward.
“This is my first championship fight at 135lbs since June last year and it’s a great time for the weight division in Britain. I am right in the mix again and now I plan to also put myself back in contention for a world title.
“Ultimately I would like to claim back my old belt back and winning this fight will give me a great ranking with the WBO.”
The bookmakers have made Burns, who weighed 9st 7lbs 9oz – 10oz lighter than his opponent – a sure thing at odds of 1/7 to take care of the 30-year-old, from Queensland, who can be backed at 9/2 to cause an upset.
Burns is the chief support for the British super-middleweight showdown between local rivals Callum Smith and Rocky Fielding and Scott Cardle’s defence of his domestic lightweight crown against Sean Dodd.
Eddie Hearn, promoter of the bill, increased his popularity on Merseyside when he stepped into secure the future of a local boxing club threatened with closure.
The Matchroom Boxing Foundation, launched by Hearn earlier this year, donated £5,000 to the Golden Gloves ABA, the first club to benefit from the grassroots initiative.
Founded in 1947, the club was forced out of its Toxteth-base in the summer due to a substantial rent increase, but Hearn’s cash injection has enabled organisers to acquire alternative premises.
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