Burns eyes title bout rather than throwing in towel
MANY fight fans were convinced that
Ricky Burns, the only Scot to win world titles in three weight divisions, had retired during the pandemic such had been his lack of profile in recent years.
Until be beat Argentina’s Emiliano Dominguez on points in Newcastle in December, the former super-featherweight, lightweight and light-welterweight champion hadn’t boxed for 26 months and had been vanquished in three of his five bouts prior to that hiatus.
Yet, reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated: not only is Burns back in action, his promoters insist he is one victory away from another world title fight — his first since 2017 — in his 40th year. Which isn’t bad going for someone who vowed to wife Amanda that he would quit in 2021.
‘When I signed with MTK last year, it was for a three-fight deal, which caused a bit of a problem with my missus,’ he admitted. ‘To be fair, I’d promised her I would retire after one more bout.
‘However, they came up with a plan which made sense for me. The first fight, which was against Dominguez, was a tune-up and I beat him on a unanimous decision.
‘The second one, which is pencilled in for June, will be at the Hydro against a fighter in the top 10 rankings and a win will shoot me right back up there as well. The third will be for a world title.
‘After watching Josh Taylor’s fight against Jack Catterall, I’m desperate to box in Glasgow again. The fans here create a brilliant atmosphere and I’d love to perform for them again.
‘I’ve fought at the SECC, Braehead and the Hydro but it’s funny because you shut everything out when you’re fighting and concentrate on the guy you’re up against.
‘As a result, I only ever realise how great the atmosphere is by recording the bouts and then watching them when I go home!
‘So I’m really looking forward to these fights. I’ve always believed I’d be the first to admit it when I don’t have it any more and sparring would tell me that. It hasn’t.’
Burns is also passing on the torch to the next generation of native talent by coaching the brightest and the best from Boxing Scotland, the governing body for the amateur ranks, at their headquarters in Glasgow three times per week.
‘It’s pleasing to be able to give something back to the sport and the boxers here are already at a good level,’ said Burns. ‘There’s a big couple of months coming up for these youngsters, which is all leading up to the Commonwealth Games in July and August.’