Burns to face mandatory Gonzalez on May 11

Promoter Eddie Hearn announced today that WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns will fight mandatory challenger Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez (22-0, 17 KOs) at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland on May 11. The show will be Burns’ first under the Matchroom Boxing banner. On March 19 the WBO ordered the Scottish star to face Gonzalez in view of ‘the failed opportunities’ given to Burns in recent times. Promoter Eddie Hearn was given five days to negotiate an agreement for the championship bout otherwise a purse bid would be ordered. Just hours before last night’s 12pm deadline, Hearn and Gonzalez’s promoter Peter Rivera agreed terms and contracts were signed for the May 11 bout.

“I’m really looking forward to May 11,” said Burns. “He’s a big puncher with a great KO record, but I’ve been in with big punchers before and that doesn’t worry me in the slightest. It’s great to have the date and name sorted now so I can just focus on getting myself in great shape for a big night in Glasgow.”

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/burns-to-face-mandatory-gonzalez-on-may-11-181648