The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Beaten Burns rules out all-Scottish clash with Taylor
Boxing: Veteran still aiming high after unification bid ends in points defeat by unbeaten Indongo
Ricky Burns has told Josh Taylor to forget about fighting him as he plans his return from his super-lightweight unification defeat to Julius Indongo on Saturday night.
The 34-year-old had put his WBA belt on the line with the unbeaten Namibian putting his IBF and IBO titles up for grabs at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow and the African proved too good over 12 rounds before taking a unanimous points decision.
Taylor, 26, managed by former world champion Barry McGuigan, has racked up a 9-0 winning record since turning professional and the Coatbridge man has been targeted for an all-Scottish fight.
However, Burns will not consider the Prestonpans fighter, who won a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
He said: “I’m not entertaining that fight. Josh is a cracking fighter. I get on well with him.
“He’s the Commonwealth champion, but how many fights has he had? There are a lot of far bigger fights out there for me.
“I don’t think it’s Josh who wants the fight.
“He would obviously take it if it was offered to him. But I think it’s more Barry McGuigan pushing his name out there.
“There’s guys like (gym-mate) Ohara Davies. Fight him first and see how they do with him. I guarantee they wouldn’t get by him.”
It was a tough night for Burns who could find few answers to the awkward and rangy southpaw.
However, the Scot remains confident that he still has a lot to offer and promoter Eddie Hearn predicted more big fights ahead in the interviews after Saturday’s defeat.
Burns said: “I’ve still got a few years left of me and big fights ahead of me. I’m not finished yet.
“Losing is the most gutting feeling. It’s not nice, but I’ve always said I’ll fight anyone. I’m not afraid to lose.
“I’ve done it before. Everyone knows what I’m like. Just give me a time and a place and I’ll go in with the best. “This is all I’ve ever wanted to do. “I’ll take a few weeks off, have a holiday with my family, then see my options.
“It would be good to get another big fight here. If there’s an offer to go to America, I’d be up for that as well.”
The impressive Indongo extended his own record to 22-0 and now holds the IBF, IBO and WBA titles.
Burns was on the back foot from the first bell as Indongo came in swinging, marking the cheek of the Coatbridge fighter in the first round, albeit it may have come from a clash of heads.
The African connected with a couple of fine left hooks in the second and kept Burns on the retreat, although the home fighter’s defence was solid enough.
The local fighter showcased more of his talent in the next couple of rounds and the fans came alive in the sixth when a thumping right hand found its way through but Indongo’s reach advantage continued to pose problems.
The man from Namibia looked to be running out of steam which made it easier for Burns to connect and the seventh was his best round with a couple of good combinations no doubt impressing the judges.
The fans sensed the contest might be turning towards their man but Indongo responded in the eighth with some powerful rights and once again Burns was on the defensive and looking ill at ease.
In the final round Burns fell to the floor. It was deemed a slip but a sense of foreboding enveloped the arena, confirmed by the judges’ scorecards.
I’ve still got a few years left of me and big fights ahead of me. I’m not finished yet. RICKY BURNS