Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Ricky returns with a convincing win
Ricky Burns was delighted with his comeback win on Saturday night, and says he’s still not back to his best.
The Coatbridge man beat Argentina’s Emiliano Dominguez Rodriguez by unanimous decision at Probellum Unstoppable at Sunderland’s Rainton Arena, scoring 100-91, 99-91, 98-92.
While the 38-year-old says there’s always room for improvement, he was just delighted to get back in the ring with a win, and hopes his next bout is on home soil in front of a loyal band of supporters.
Burns told the Advertiser: “i’m so happy to finally get back in there. It was a long time coming, that was my first in over two years.
“It was good to go in there, get the 10 rounds, hopefully shake some of that rust off, and I’m looking forward to the next one, now.
“Going into the fight we knew it was going to be a tough night’s work.
“That boy comes to fight, and we expected it was going to be a bit rough.
“At the start especially I was feeling a bit rusty, things weren’t coming together, we were getting in close and I felt that he was getting first off to his
shots. He was being really dirty with his head and stuff like that as well, so I was doing what I had to do – tying him up, walking him back, not letting him work inside, and trying to get my shots off at range.
“It’s my first fight in two years, so being rusty was expected. I wouldn’t say I’m back to my best, because there is room there for improvement.
“Boxing is one of these sports where there’s always room for improvement.”
Burns says an opponent hasn’t yet been lined up for his next outing, but hopes to fight again in early 2022.
He said:“all in all, I’m so happy to get the win and I’m looking forward to the next one.
“No names have been mentioned, but they’re talking March or April-time, possibly in Glasgow, which would be good.
“When I first teamed up with MTK and Probellum I said I would love to get another big night in Glasgow, and I think that will eventually happen.
“I’’m not sure if it’s going to be this one – but fingers crossed that it is.
“I’ve always said that the fans up here are the best. Any time I’ve boxed up here they’ve always come out and shown their support.
“The fight nights up here are the best and it would be good to go out there and get another one, and to put on a good performance for them.”
Burns has been training with fellow Coatbridge boxer Mark Mckeown, who also grabbed a close-fought win over Uriel Lopez by 59-56 in the same bill on Saturday night, and believes they will be good for each other.
Ricky said:“i’ve teamed up with a new coach and a new team, and I’ve been training with Mark Mckeown, who did well on Saturday night as well.
“They’re all over the moon, but me and‘sparky’will have a wee break over Christmas and New Year.
“We’ll probably get back in the gym a couple of days to keep things ticking over, but we’re looking forward to pushing on and seeing what happens next.”