Ricky Burns dropped Kevin Mitchell two times and stopped him in the fourth round today in Glasgow. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Scott Heavey – Getty Images

Ricky Burns dropped Kevin Mitchell two times and stopped him in the fourth round in Glasgow. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

The atmosphere in Glasgow was electric, the crowd thunderous, and the moment just right. Frank Warren paid for Michael Buffer, even, to make Ricky Burns vs Kevin Mitchell the “big event” he wanted it to be — and that the excited paying audience deserved it to be.

But after a good first round from Mitchell, where he seemed to find some rhythm in the latter half of the three minutes, it was all Ricky Burns, as he delighted the Scottish boxing faithful and stopped Mitchell in the fourth round.

Burns (35-2, 10 KO) wasn’t expected to win by TKO, but he did just that and looked physically huge next to Mitchell, a small lightweight and seemingly dwarfed by Burns, who recognized the size disparity and took advantage of it, pushing Mitchell (33-2, 24 KO) around at moments, bulling him to the ropes, and abandoning his normal game plan to dare Mitchell, expected to be the fight’s puncher, to trade with him.

There were a few moments of throwdown brawling between the two in each of the rounds, but it was the fourth where Mitchell was forced to fold. Burn knocked him down once a hard left hook, and Mitchell came back on unsteady legs, quickly dropped again, with referee Terry O’Connor taking a closer look this time.

Once back to action, Burns again stormed in to close the show. 20 seconds remained when he got started, and though Mitchell tried to hang on, he just couldn’t make it. With his back on the ropes and right hands flying in, Mitchell found himself fully in the hands of the referee — and O’Connor chose to stop the bout, with Mitchell not offering much by way of complaint.

He was just too much, and yet again, Ricky Burns has proven his quality. Still the WBO titleholder, Burns has a fine argument on resume to be considered the world’s best lightweight at the moment, right alongside Miguel Vazquez and Antonio DeMarco.

For Mitchell, it’s another rough setback, somewhat reminiscent of his 2010 letdown against Michael Katsidis, when Katsidis polished him off in three rounds. I don’t have any real doubt that Mitchell has the ability to get back to this level and get another shot, but he’ll need to just sit down, refocus, and come back.

For Burns, it’s a big statement win. He remains on his roll, and this was a truly strong performance from him once again. He’s always going to be doubted, even by those who know his quality. He never seems impressive until the bell rings and you watch him work.

By: Scott Christ

http://www.badlefthook.com/2012/9/22/3374474/burns-vs-mitchell-results-tko-fourth-round-glasgow-secc-wbo-lightweight-british-boxing-news

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) announces the officers who will be working on world title bouts, to be conducted this Saturday, September 22, in the UK (vs. Ricky Burns. Kevin Mitchell) and Denmark (Cecilia Braekhus vs. Anne Sophie Mathis).

WBO President, Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel reported that for the fight in the lightweight champion of the entity, the Briton Ricky Burns (34-2, 9 KOs) will make the second defense of his belt against compatriot and second rated Kevin Mitchell (33-1, 24 KOs), the referee will be Phil Edwards.

Meanwhile, the judges who work in the fight will be the British also Terry O’Connor, Richie Davies and Dave Parris. WBO supervisor for this meeting will be Dennis Gilmartin.

The battle between Burns and Mitchell will be held at the Scottish Exhibition Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom in a presentation of Frank Warren Promotions.

Meanwhile, for the female title clash between WBO welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus (20-0, 5 KOs), Colombian resident in Norway, and France’s Anne Sophie Mathis (26-2, 22 KOs), who will take place in Arena Frederikshavn in Denmark in a presentation of Sauerland Event, the arbitrator shall Jurgen Langos.

Meanwhile, judges are Paul Thomas, and Leszek Jankowiak Lehtosaari Etha. WBO supervisor for this lawsuit will Edoardo Ceccoli.

La Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) anuncia los oficiales que estarán trabajando en los combates de título mundial, que se efectuarán este sábado, 22 de septiembre, en el Reino Unido (Ricky Burns vs. Kevin Mitchell) y Dinamarca (Cecilia Braekhus vs. Anne Sophie Mathis).

El presidente de la OMB, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, informó que para la pelea en que el campeón ligero de la entidad, el británico Ricky Burns (34-2, 9 KOs) hará la segunda defensa de su correa ante su compatriota y segundo clasificado Kevin Mitchell (33-1, 24 KOs), el árbitro será el Phil Edwards.

Mientras, los jueces que trabajarán en la pelea serán los también británicos Terry O’Connor, Richie Davies y Dave Parris. El supervisor de la OMB para este encuentro será Dennis Gilmartin.

El combate entre Burns y Mitchell se celebrará en el Scottish Exhibition Centre de Glasgow, Escocia, Reino Unido en una presentación de Frank Warren Promotions.

Por su parte, para el choque por el título femenino welter de la OMB entre la campeona Cecilia Braekhus (20-0, 5 KOs), colombiana residente en Noruega, y la francesa Anne Sophie Mathis (26-2, 22 KOs), que se llevará a cabo en Arena Frederikshavn en Dinamarca en una presentación de Sauerland Event, el árbitro será Jurgen Langos.

Entretanto, los jueces son Paul Thomas, Etha Lehtosaari y Leszek Jankowiak. El supervisor de la OMB para este pleito será Edoardo Ceccoli.

This Saturday night WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns (34-2, 9 KO’s) will be making his second defense of his title against fellow Brit Kevin Mitchell (33-1, 24 KO’s) at the Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.

This is going to be hometown advantage for the 29-year-old Burns, although Mitchell fans swear up and down that Mitchell will get a fair shake when it comes to the judging in the fight.

Whatever. I’m not so worried about the judging for the fight. What I’m worried about is the referee keeping control of the action to make sure that Burns doesn’t end up clinching Mitchell into submission. The last couple of fights I’ve seen of Burns have been god awful filled with clinching and dull action. Boring stuff.

Burns’ last fight against Paulus Moses last March was one in which I thought Burns should have been penalized and/or disqualified for all the clinching he did in that fight. What I didn’t understand was why on earth did Burns waste time clinching this guy? It’s not as if Moses had huge knockout power or anything. As far as I can tell the only dangerous thing about Moses was his nice jab. That’s about it. Why clinch a guy repeatedly when the don’t have much power?

Mitchell hasn’t been looking all that great lately. He looked decent in taking out John Murray last year in July in stopping him in the 8th, but then he looked terrible against Felix Lora last February in beating him by a 10 round decision. Lora was landing his pot shots all night long, and Mitchell looked pretty helpless.

So as far as this Saturday night goes, I think Mitchell needs to have his inside fighting skills ready so that he can tag Burns in the puss each time he grabs him in a clinch and tries to smother Mitchell’s offense. That’s how you take care of Burns. You can’t just let him clinch like that without making him pay each time.

By Scott Gilfoid

World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Lightweight title challenger Kevin Mitchell will do a pre-match pitch appearance at West Ham United’s home game against Fulham this Saturday.

The Dagenham Destroyer, a big Hammers’ fan who fought Michael Katsidis for the world title at the Boleyn Ground in May 2010, will be announced to the crowd ahead of his second world title attempt against WBO World Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns at Glasgow’s SECC on September 22nd.

Mitchell says West Ham’s return to the Premier League will give him the inspiration to beat Scottish hero Burns, the tough two-time and two-weight world champion.

“It’s fantastic that West Ham are back in the Premier League again, they’ve had to fight hard to do it and I’ve had to do the same to get back to the top and challenge for a world title again,” Said Mitchell.

“Seeing the Hammers achieve that has given me a boost to beat Burns in his backyard and bring the world title back to London’s east end,”

“I couldn’t achieve my dream of winning the world title by beating Katsidis, but I would love to return to hold the belt up in front of the crowd at the next home game after I beat Burns.”

Mitchell’s highly anticipated England-Scotland showdown against Burns headlines a top quality card that also features former WBO World Featherweight Champion Scott Harrison, hot unbeaten prospect Bradley Saunders, plus Scottish stars John Thain, Stephen Simmons, Jonathan Slowey, Michael Roberts, Ryan Collins, Sammy Hill and Hugh Gray.

Burns v Mitchell will be televised live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546). Join now at www.boxnation.com

Tickets, priced at £50, £75, £100, £150 and £200, are available from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or online at eventim.co.uk and Ticket Soup on 0844 295 4000 or ticketSOUP.com

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/2012/kevin-mitchell-to-make-appearance-on-saturday/

The winner of the September 22nd fight between WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns and Kevin Mitchell could very well be merely keeping the World Boxing Organization 135 pound title warm long enough for Adrien Broner (24-0, 20 KO’s) to move in and take the belt from the winner, that is, if Burns doesn’t vacate an move up again.

Broner reportedly will be moved up to #1 in the WBO lightweight rankings as soon as the Burns-Mitchell fight is over, and that is going to put an incredible amount of pressure on the Burns-Mitchell winner. Oh, I’m sure that Burns or Mitchell won’t volunteer to fight Broner in their very next fight, because that could be like volunteering to get knocked out and have your title removed. But once Burns or Mitchell gets a nice voluntary title defense out of the way, they’ll be staring at the reality of having to defend the WBO title against Broner.

I can see some serious thinking going on when that happens – to fight Broner or vacate the title. I wish I could believe that Burns, if he beats Mitchell, will agree to take the fight with Broner, but I don’t see that happening. My prediction will be that Burns vacates and moves up to light welterweight to see how things are up there, while Broner moves in to take vacant WBO lightweight title in a fight against someone like #3 WBO Sharif Bogere.

The Burns-Mitchell fight is one that’s impossible to pick a winner. In an actual fight where punches are exchanged, Mitchell is the guy 7 days a week, 365 days a year. However, Burns likes to clinch, and he could shut down Mitchell’s offense completely if he’s allowed to grab Mitchell all night long whenever the Brit tries to let his hands go. Besides that, the fight is taking place at the Scottish Exhibition Center in Glasgow, Scotland, and it’s going to be really tough for Mitchell to win a decision fighting in Burns’ backyard.

By: Scott Gilfoid

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2012/08/burns-mitchell-winner-merely-keeping-wbo-135-lb-strap-warm-for-broner/

World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns and challenger Kevin Mitchell may be good friends, but that isn’t stopping them promise to put on one of the most brutal fights in recent years.

The pair clash in the big domestic showdown on Saturday 22nd September at the SECC in Glasgow, live and exclusive on the home of TV boxing BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Two-time and two-weight world champion Burns will put friendship aside and be ruthless in the fight, “Come fight night once we step into the ring the friendship is over, this is business time,” he said.

Cockney scrapper Mitchell is looking to finally win the world title and is confident he can beat his friend, “You can’t beat Ricky’s personality, he’s a lovely man and a mate of mine. We genuinely get on well and there won’t be any trash talking. But once we get in the ring we fight, that’s our job. I’ve wanted this fight for a long time now and Ricky has given me the chance. I’m determined to win it, but I know I’m in for a hard night’s work.”

Here are some more boxers who have put fighting before friendship:

JOE CALZAGHE v RICHIE WOODHALL (WBO World Super-Middleweight title)

In the build up to their ‘Battle of Britain’ in December 2000, Joe Calzaghe and Richie Woodhall stopped off for a cup of tea at a motorway service station in-between press conferences. The fight was made harder as their fathers and trainers Enzo and Len were also good friends. That didn’t stop WBO World Super-Middleweight Champion Calzaghe putting on a vicious performance to stop Woodhall in the 10th round of an exciting battle at the Sheffield Arena.

KEVIN MITCHELL v JOHN MURRAY (WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title)

Before Kevin Mitchell’s mouthwatering domestic lightweight clash with rival John Murray in July last year, he said that he and Murray were good mates from their amateur days and came close to fighting then. They eventually met as pros at the Liverpool Echo Arena with Mitchell putting on his best ever performance to stop the previously unbeaten Murray in the eighth round to win the WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title.

Burns v Mitchell will be televised live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546). Join now at www.boxnation.com

Tickets, priced at £50, £75, £100, £150 and £200, are available from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or online at eventim.co.uk and Ticket Soup on 0844 295 4000 or ticketSOUP.com

Scotland’s Ricky Burns will put his WBO lightweight title on the line against England’s Kevin Mitchell in Glasgow on 22 September.

Burns, at 29, is 18 months older than his opponent from Essex but the pair have almost identical records, and were once sparring partners.

“I’m in this sport to prove I’m the best, next to me Mitchell’s the best around, and it will be a great fight between two warriors,” said Burns.

The venue has yet to be confirmed.

The Coatbridge fighter’s last defence was against Paulus Moses in March when he produced a confident performance to defeat the Namibian on points.

“The fight’s been on the boil for the last couple of years and the fans and press have been desperate for it to happen. It’s fantastic that it’s on at last,” added the defending champion.

“We are both at the top of our game now.

“He put on a great showing against John Murray last year that showed just how good a boxer he is to take apart another champion.

“But this fight is the fight I’ve wanted and it’s got me really excited.

“Mitchell’s going to bring out the best in me and I believe that the fans are going to be in for an unbelievable fight.”

Burns moved up to lightweight last November when he beat the Australian Michael Katsidis at Wembley – the only man to have beaten Mitchell in 34 bouts.

Burns’ record stands at 34 wins and two defeats.

Mitchell’s fight against John Murray last July was voted Fight of the Year in which he stopped Murray in the eighth round of a thrilling contest.

In February he beat the tough Dominican Republican Felix Lora over ten rounds and has been shouting for a confrontation with his Scottish adversary.

Mitchell said: “I’m promising you now you’re going to see the best fight of the year or any year.

“This is a real fight between the two best in the division and it’s not going to be for the faint-hearted.

“I rate Burns very highly, he’s a great fighter and has really proved himself as one of the top champions in the world.

“I’m going into the lion’s den and I know I can beat him and take the world title. Burns is a top kid and I’ve got to be at the top of my game, the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been in my life to win.”

Billy Nelson trains Burns at his Fighting Scots gym in Lanarkshire and he is in no doubt that the WBO belt will not be heading south.

“Kevin Mitchell is a very good fighter but Ricky is better in every department, as far as I’m concerned,” he told BBC Scotland.

“He’s getting a chance to grab our title but we are adamant that he’s not going to win this fight.”

Nelson is delighted that the bout will take place in Glasgow and not, as was once mooted, at West Ham’s Upton Park.

“He is one of the best fighters in the world, why should we go anywhere else to fight?” he said.

“We have a good fan base in Scotland. Let’s showcase our talent and keep the Scottish fight fans happy.”

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/18594342

Promoter Frank Warren has revealed that WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns (34-2, 9KOs) is likely going to return in July. The most sensinble opponent, says Warren, is Kevin Mitchell (33-1, 24KOs). The fight has been brewing for several months and British fans want it to happen. Warren says the fight will be tough to make because Mitchell wants a lot of money to make it possible.

Burns’ return, because of scheduling issues with the venues, is not heading to Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium or West Ham United’s Upton Park.

“I can’t say who it is going to be against yet but it will probably be in July,” said Warren to BBC Scotland. “Kevin Mitchell is an opponent we are looking at and, providing he is sensible, maybe we could make that fight. He has had problems outside the ring and he thinks he should be getting paid much more than Ricky. It’s a struggle to make that one.”

 

By Edward Chaykovsky

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51069

Ricky Burns has his sights set on bigger fights after a confident if unspectacular first defence of his WBO lightweight belt.

The Scot scored a unanimous points win over Namibia-based Paulus Moses in front of a 6,000 capacity crowd at Braehead Arena on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Burns has now won six fights at world level and will discuss options with promoter Frank Warren and manager Alex Morrison early next week.

A fight with Londoner Kevin Mitchell, who holds the WBO inter-continental belt after a thrilling victory against John Murray, would capture the imagination of boxing fans on both sides of the border, but Burns was reluctant to name names after his latest comfortable triumph.

Burns said: “I’m happy to get the win, it was a good fight and a good 12 rounds in the bank.

“I’ll get a wee break now and sit down and talk about what happens next.

“There have been a few names out there mentioned.

“I have always said I will fight whoever they put in front of me. Rather than me shout out names and who I want to fight, I’ll do my talking in the ring. Whoever they want to get me to fight, it’s no problem at all.

“I got the win and we can start looking at bigger fights now.”

Although Burns was never in trouble, the scorecard of 119-110 120-110 117-111 probably did not reflect the difficulty Burns had against the 33-year-old former WBA lightweight champion, who has 19 knockouts to his name.

Burns, who struggled with a minor shoulder injury in the final few rounds, acknowledged his opponent’s threat had forced him into caution at times.

“Some of the rounds it was tough,” Burns said.

“He could punch, he caught me with a few good right hands.

“I’ve always said I can take a good shot. I shrugged it off and got on with the fight.”

The Coatbridge boxer, who dominated the first five rounds, added: “A few times I banged them (body shots) in, a couple of times I thought I hurt him.

“But he was taking them well and I didn’t want to dive in because I didn’t know if he was trying to draw me in.

“He was looking for the counters all the time and the right hand over the top, which he caught me with a couple of times.

“I thought I was doing all right but maybe I shouldn’t have got caught those couple of times.

“But I’m still learning and I’ve always said there are still more improvements to come. I can look onwards and upwards now.”

Whatever the profile of the next opponent for Burns, who gets married next month, he has proved he can draw an increasingly large crowd.

Braehead had been only half full for his previous two fights there despite his stunning victory over Roman Martinez at the smaller Kelvin Hall.

After fights in Liverpool and Wembley, Burns sold out the arena and the atmosphere at times evoked that memorable night against the previously unbeaten Martinez, when Burns upset the odds to win the WBO super-featherweight title.

The 28-year-old said: “I just want to thank everyone that has come down. I couldn’t believe it when I walked out.

“The fans were fantastic and I hope they all had a good time.

“When I walked out the changing room, you could hear them all singing.

“Everyone says the Glasgow crowd are excellent and they proved that again.”

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50510

Ricky Burns has targeted Kevin Mitchell for a summertime all-British battle – and wants it to be in Scotland.

The interim WBO lightweight champion will face Namibia’s Paulus Moses at the Braehead Arena on March 10.

Burns, from Coatbridge, is hoping fight fans pack out the venue on the outskirts of Glasgow to encourage promoter Frank Warren to bring Essex boy Mitchell north of the border for what would be a classic Scotland versus England encounter.

Mitchell’s only defeat in 33 fights to date was to Michael Katsidis at Upton Park, London, in May 2010, whom Burns beat at Wembley in November last year to take the title from the Australian.

Burns, 28, speaking at the Braehead Arena, said: “Obviously I have to get past Paulus Moses first or that (Mitchell) fight is not going to happen.

“I know Kevin is fighting in February and as long as the two of us come through then we can sit down and talk about it.

“Both of us are promoted by Frank Warren so it is an easy fight for us to make.

“I would say the two of us are the best lightweights in Britain just now so it is a fight that I would really want.

“When I beat Michael Katsidis he (Mitchell) was saying he would love the chance to fight me.

“They are talking about the venue being down in London or up here.

“I was on the same bill when Michael Katsidis beat him down at West Ham’s football ground.

“I know that was the venue that was mentioned if I was to fight him in the summer.

“I would prefer it to be up here.

“Hopefully we can show them that we can get Braehead sold out and get the fans behind me.

“But for now, I just need to concentrate on my next fight.”

Burns will enjoy one last week of regular living before the hard work starts – albeit it will not be quite as difficult to make the weight now that he has moved up to the nine stone nine pounds division.

“The hard dieting will start next week,” he said.

“At the moment I have a wee bit of leeway and if I want something I can have it.

“But I start pushing it seven weeks before the fight.

“I started training just after the New Year so we are in full training, two and three times a day.

“But the countdown is on to the weigh-in and then it’s time to get on with the job.

“No matter what weight you have to make it is always hard.

“But again, making nine stone nine is a lot easier than having to boil down to nine stone four.

“I am much happier now that I have moved up a weight.”

Burns will not watch any DVDs of Moses, preferring to let the challenger worry about him.

“I can only go with his record which makes him dangerous,” he said.

“One loss in 29 fights and 19 knockouts, that shows he is a big puncher.

“But I have always said whatever happens on the night is going to happen.

“I can adapt to people’s styles so I’m sure when I get in the ring, I will know what to do to win.

“If I get the chance to knock him out I will do it.”

Burns, though, will be informed by trainer Billy Nelson as to what to expect on the night.

“I have been studying DVDs every night and Moses is a very good fighter,” said Nelson.

“He has a different style to Katsidis but world class fighters have the ability to adapt to different styles.

“I expect Ricky to stop this guy.

“Once that fight is done, there is the blockbuster with Kevin Mitchell and then he will get it as well.”

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48709

Kevin Mitchell will be forced to wait for his highly-anticipated comeback fight, but vowed to win a world title in 2012 after pulling through a nightmare year.

Mitchell was set to take on Stephen Ormond in a WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title bout in February, but the unbeaten Irishman pulled out of the fight, leaving Mitchell to look for a new challenge. Despite the setback, Mitchell says he is ready for whichever boxer decides to take him on after overcoming personal issues in the past 12 months.

“I think they know I’m in good shape and I’ve been back in the gym,” Mitchell told iFilm London. “Word’s probably got out that I’ve not had a drink over Christmas and that I mean the business. That’s probably put the fear factor into [Ormond].

“I’m ready. I’m prepared for anyone and I’ll be prepared for whoever they put out in front of me. It doesn’t matter who it is.

“I’ve been in very good shape so, whoever it is, I’ll deal with it in a great fashion. I knock anybody early, I can knock them out late – I’ve proven that in fights.

“I’ve given up drinking. I’ve given up messing around. I’m serious and I want to do a big job this year and turn into a superstar. It’s what I’ve always dreamed about. This year I’m going to smash it. Watch.”

Promoter Frank Warren has been in discussions with Mitchell about a July fight at Upton Park against Scotland’s WBO interim lightweight champion Ricky Burns as the 28-year-old plans the next step of his comeback.

 

http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/sport/story/129395.html

Kevin Mitchell has promised to win a world title this year after a nightmare 2011.

The Dagenham Destroyer returns to action on Friday 10th February to defend his WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title at London’s York Hall.

Unbeaten Irishman Stephen Ormond pulled out of the fight and promoter Frank Warren is looking at a new challenger for Mitchell.

The 28-year-old had well documented problems outside of the ring last year despite his sensational eighth round stoppage win over rival John Murray in July.

Mitchell said, “I was on a downward spiral and could have ended up in prison because of my drinking, but I’ve had a good kick up the backside and I realise that I want to become a world champion,”

“I lost it last year even though I had a great win over Murray, but I’m looking forward to returning to the York Hall with my home crowd behind me,”

“I’m not a playboy anymore and from now on I’m serious about winning the world title and making plenty of money to secure my future,”

Warren is aiming to get Kevin a world title shot that could see him in a Battle of Britain with Scottish WBO World Champion, possibly a return to West Ham United’s ground where he lost to Michael Katsidis in 2010.

Also, Warren has spoken to American promoter Bob Arum about a possible fight with WBA title-holder Brandon Rios who beat Murray in December.

“The obvious fight would be Ricky Burns in the summer with West Ham’s ground being an option,” said Warren.

“My relationship with Kevin went off the rails towards the end of last year, but I’m delighted to say that we are back on track and we’re both working towards the world title,”

“This is about Kevin going back to basics, his problems are behind him now and it’s all about moving forward and achieving what I believe he can achieve.”

“I’m really disappointed that Ormond pulled out of the fight for whatever reason, he was training for a fight in December that fell through and we lined him up with Kevin so he would have been ready.”

Mitchell added, “I’d love Ricky Burns at West Ham which would be an absolute dream to return to the stadium again,”

“Although if Rios was offered to me I’d fancy doing a number on him, in fact I reckon I’d knock him out,”

“To me he’s sluggish and one dimensional and if I got him in the ring it would be like a cat playing with a mouse.”

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48161