Burns has shed the pounds for crack at Crolla
RICKY BURNS insists he’s happy to grin and bear it after boiling back down to lightweight for his crack at Anthony Crolla.
The Scottish fight hero admitted he’s more upbeat than usual as he gets ready to face his old sparring partner in Manchester tomorrow night.
Burns likes to do his talking in the ring in fight week as he concentrated on shifting the last few pounds before the weigh in.
The 34-year-old has had to work harder than ever after moving back down a division but insisted he is only hungry to get back on the winning trail.
Burns – who lost his lightwelter world title to Julius Indongo earlier this year – said: “I’ve been walking about with a smile on my face and talking to people. Ask anyone who knows me, that’s not always the case in fight week.
“I’m just really looking forward to getting in to the ring.
“When this was announced it was decided I’d drop back down to lightweight.
“My trainer Tony Sims has his concerns but after the first few weeks of camp he could see how strict I was and how much work I was putting in.
“Who knows if I hadn’t had the chance to become a threeweight world champion I might have still been fighting at lightweight now.
“I’m feeling good. It’s been tough cutting down the portions but I’ve done the weight comfortably. Everything feels right. Everything’s gone to plan.
“This is going to be a good hard fight. This is my first time boxing in Manchester and I know Anthony has a great support here. But there’ll be a fair few coming down from Scotland and it should be a great night.”
Local favourite Crolla is also looking to bounce back from losing a world title after backto-back defeats to Jorge Linares.
The Mancunian said: “I’m excited. It says a lot about us both we could have got away with easier fights but that’s now what we are about.
“We are both boxing fans and everyone in the trade knows this will be a battle. I’ve been involved in huge fights before and nothing beats that feeling.
“I’ll give 100 per cent and leave everything in the ring because that’s what’s needed.
“It’s going to be some atmosphere. With the Scottish and Manchester fans you have some of the most passionate fans in world boxing.”
Burns has been busting a gut to get back to world level and his stable are convinced he’s ready to hit the heights again. The Coatbridge star heads to London for training camps and his fellow fighters are blown away by his regime. Conor Benn, son of fight legend Nigel, is also on the card in Manchester and admitted he couldn’t keep up with the Scot.
He said: “Ricky’s mad. He trains like an absolute madman. He is someone you look up to in the gym because he always wants to do that bit more.
“There are times I look at him and think, ‘How do you do it?’ A run with Ricky in the morning and
Everything feels right. Everything has gone to plan. This’ll be a good hard fight
RICKY BURNS
I feel sick for two days afterwards.”
Cornerman Charlie Sims said: “It’s just the Ricky mindset. He said to me this morning, ‘I’m going to produce the best performance of my career’.
“That says a lot. You look at his credentials. He’s boxed everyone. Yet he’s here and ready to lay his legacy on the line.”
Scott Cardle will face Lee Connelly as he bids to bounce back after losing his British title to Robbie Barrett, also on the Manchester show.
Race 1 – 480m – 8pm 4TT Billys Champion (Scr) 315 Goodison Bark (2m) 323 Main Incomer (4m) 23T Blackhall Merry (4m) 151 Fenceside Braedo (7m) Betting Evs 3-1 5-2 3-1 3-1. 4-1-2
Race 2 – 480m 441 Fenceside Fair (Scr) 411 Fenceside Belle (Scr) 133 Romeo Icardi (2m) 431 Graigues Azera (2m) TTT Peads Minx (8m) Betting 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1. 1-2-3
Race 3 – 480m 33T Lisamour (Scr) 523 Toolmaker Flight (2m) 314 Macaroon Muzzle (4m) T21 Playing Game (5m) 51T Killieford Jade (5m) Betting 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1. 1-5-3
Race 4 – 480m 232 Tristar (Scr) 533 Fenceside Hawk (4m) 152 Moanteen Marley (5m) T54 Soviet Temptress (6m) TT5 Trap The Kat (7m) Betting 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 5-4. 5-1-3
Race 5 – 480m 1T3 Parkgate Connie (Scr) 463 Monagore Judy (2m) 12T Desirable Fella (4m) 555 Fenceside Bliss (7m) 532 Westend Mick (13m) Betting 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1. 3-1-4
Race 6 – 480m 441 Toolmaker Delite (Scr) 144 Ellaal (3m) 2T4 Unlikely Bailey (5m) 344 Colossal Gent (5m) 213 Swift Haley (10m) Betting 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1. 3-4-5
Race 7 – 480m 252 Athboy Dubh (Scr) 212 Gavins Snowy (1m) 541 Toolmaker Sir (3m) 422 Bramble Belle (6m) 145 Race On Spice (7m) Betting 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1. 1-2-5
Race 8 – 480m 122 Elaines Book (Scr) 444 Hightown Hill (1m) 134 Macaroon Dazzle (3m) 345 Lynx Sierra (3m) 125 Johnstown Mist (7m) Betting 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1. 4-5-1
Race 9 – 480m 321 Balboa Batman (Scr) 113 Buckfast Mel (Scr) 111 Fenceside Nidge (2m) 223 Parknahown Nell (5m) 445 Ennis Mikey (6m) Betting 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1. 4-5-2
Shawfield Treble Lisamour, Unlikely Bailey, Parknahow Nell 30.18 29.91 30.00 29.97 30.18 30.06 30.07 30.15 30.13 30.30 30.05 29.97 30.05 30.14 30.22 29.89 30.08 30.14 29.90 30.14 29.83 30.00 30.04 29.92 29.72 30.18 30.33 30.09 29.97 30.08 29.74 29.74 29.93 29.90 29.84 30.11 30.03 30.21 30.05 30.02 30.10 30.04 29.98 29.86 29.93