Comeback? I never retired
Burns raring to go against Rodriguez in his first fight for two years
RICKY BURNS insists it’s wrong to label his ring return a comeback – as he’s never been away.
The Scottish fight legend will step between the ropes for the first time in two years when he faces Argentina hard man Emiliano Dominguez Rodriguez in Sunderland on December 18.
Burns – Scotland’s first three-weight world champ – has been out of action since his narrow defeat by Lee Selby in October 2019 but is ready to get back fighting after signing a deal with new global promotion outfit Probellum.
The 38-year-old told Record Sport he’s raring to go and determined to prove there is plenty left in the tank.
Burns said: “I wouldn’t call it a comeback as I never saw myself as retired.
“I kept bumping into people and they’d ask if I’d hung up my gloves – but I kept saying I was just waiting for my chance.
“I haven’t fought for two years but there have been three or four fights spoken about and for whatever reasons didn’t happen.
“It’s a nightmare when you are working hard and then the fights fall through. That’s tough and that’s when you start thinking, what are you going to do?
“I’ve been coaching the amateur lads with Boxing Scotland and that’s something I’ve enjoyed. But I’ve never stopped training for fights. I’ve been working hard, keeping my head down in the gym and in sparring.
“I don’t need to get back into it because I always train hard.”
Burns has won world titles at super featherweight, lightweight and light welterweight in an illustrious 52-fight career. The Coatbridge ace has bagged serious hardware and has a huge fan base but isn’t thinking about more silver as yet.
Rodriguez has been around the block having fought for Burns’ former IBO light welter crown in 2018 and will provide the Scot with a stiff test.
Burns said: “It will be a tough fight but a good fight for me. He’s been pretty busy in the last year so he’s been active.
“It’s one for me to see what I’ve still got. I’m not daft. I know questions will be asked but I’m used to it.
“What is my goal? I don’t think too much about things like that. I focus on the fight because that’s what I love doing the most.
“I just enjoy being in the ring. I’ve not missed watching my weight mind you! That’s the hard part but I’m on track and it’s worth it to get back in the ring.”