Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
I’LL TAKE ON ANYONE NOW
Ricky Burns puts out challenge after latest victory bout
Ricky Burns has vowed to “fight anyone at all” after he smashed exBritish lightweight title holder Scott Cardle in three rounds.
The former first-ever threeweight world champion is now lining up another “big fight” following his devastating showing at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.
Coat b r idge scrapper Burns floored Cardle with a thunderous straight right hand to win the all-British bout by stoppage.
Burns’ dominant display on the undercard of Tony Bellew’s loss to Oleksandr Usyk saw the 35-year-old return to the international spotlight – and marked a redemption of sorts with the face-off taking place in the same venue where Burns was controversially beaten on points by Anthony Crolla a year ago.
Saturday’s victory was also Burns’ quickest since 2011 and the Monklands man is aiming for a return to the big time.
Burns, who turned his back on a comeback bout in the States later this month for the Manchester meeting, said: “I don’t feel any different to when I first laced up the gloves.
“There’s still a lot left in the tank and hopefully we can sit down now and get a big fight lined up.
“I will fight anyone at all, it doesn’t bother me.
“I treat every fight the same and train for every fight the same.
“I didn’t feel I was getting my shots off well in there but I got the win and that’s all that matters.”
Referencing Burns turning back the clock with his performance at the weekend, promoter Eddie Hearn said: “Benjamin Button wants a big fight and I’d love to get him one in the States.
“He showed he’s still a level above domestic. Ricky remains a world-level fighter.”
Burns’ Manchester mauling of Cardle was his 43rd win in his 51st bout.
Cardle, 29, whose parents are from Glasgow, hardly laid a glove on Burns before being poleaxed by the Scot.
The referee stopped the one-sided contest the moment Cardle hit the canvas after he had been given a painful lesson by the man who made Scottish ring history just two-and-a-half years ago.
When Burns defeated Michele di Rocco to land the WBA super-lightweight title in 2016, he became the country’s first-ever three-weight world champion.
He then lost a unification bout with Julius Indongo last year and many speculated his time as a championship fighter had come to an end.
However, Burns proved he’s still got it by landing a series of juicy rights and stinging body shots before opening up a gash above Cardle’s left eye when the Lytham fighter walked into a left-hander.