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Burns gearing up for clash against Cardle
Fighter is all set for Manchester Arena bout
Ricky Burns will participate in a Battle of Britain clash this weekend as part of the undercard of an undisputed world cruiserweight fight.
The Coatbridge fighter, 35, fought in his 50th professional contest in June, beating Ivan Njegac with a fourthround stoppage.
He was due to enter the ring in Kansas, USA, later this month – but has stepped in to challenge Scott Cardle at the Manchester Arena, preceeding Tony Bellew’s fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
In doing so, Burns is making a return to the scene where he fought Anthony Crolla a year ago and lost controversially on points.
Ahead of fighting Cardle, a former British lightweight champion, Burns told Sky Sports: “There’s some big fights to be made in the lightweight division and a win here in front of such a large pay-per-view audience will put me further in the frame for next year.
“The Manchester crowd last time out was fantastic and obviously Anthony Crolla is fighting on the bill.
“I’d still love that rematch down the line but first and foremost Scotty has my attention.
He continued: “I get on really well with Scotty and his family.
“They have helped me out with some sparring down the years but this is strictly business.
“It was a shame my gym mate Joe Cordina pulled out through injury but this is boxing.
“I’ll shake Scotty’s hand before and after the fight.”
Cardle is relishing the chance of facing Scotland’s first three-weight world champion and said: “Ricky is a Scottish great and a win against him would hopefully set up some even bigger fights down the line.
“I’ve got the opportunity and now it’s time for me to deliver.
“I can’t turn fights like this against Burns down, especially at this stage of my career.
“I want to reach world level before I call it a day and a win over a name like Burns could be the start of something big.”