Burns v Crawford ordered by the WBO

[ThereByTheGrace]

Poor Raymundo Beltran gets the shaft again:

Article below from the BBC. It will be interesting to see what happens next. Crawford is well backed financially. Can Nice Guy Eddie convince them to come over here?

I think Burns may vacate soon.
____________________________________________
WBO orders champion Ricky Burns to fight Terence Crawford
Plans for a February rematch between WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns and Raymundo Beltran look to be off after the governing body ordered Burns to make a mandatory defence.

The WBO has told Burns's management to begin negotiations with mandatory challenger Terence Crawford of the USA.

The letter, dated 8 November, gives the Burns camp 30 days to arrange the bout.

However, unification fights with either Miguel Vazquez or Richar Abril remain possibilities for the Scot.

Burns retained his world title after a controversial draw with Beltran in September.

The 30-year-old champion suffered a broken jaw early in the fight, with the Mexican challenger's manager saying his fighter had been "robbed".

And promoter Eddie Hearn said he thought Beltran had done enough to win "a close fight".

Burns, who has resumed light training, spoke last month of his desire to take on Beltran again, with Hearn saying a deal for a rematch was "99% done".

"I think it's only right to fight Raymundo again," Burns told BBC Scotland. "I think it's the fight the fans want to see."

The much-hyped Crawford, 26, from Omaha, is unbeaten in 22 contests.

Burns could go after IBF champion Vazquez or bid to take Abril's WBA belt, but negotiations would need to be done quickly following the WBO's intervention.

[JimJim2009]

Burns will seriously damage his credibility if he vacates. He is the title holder, facing a stiff challenge after a rough year. I hope he gets well paid for it, and I hope he takes the fight.

[Horse]

If Burns unifies then when would he have to fight Crawford? In his next fight?

[Final round]

Eddie thinks he can. "Top Rank are trying to force our hand and they have made their position very clear they want Ricky to fight Crawford.
If it has to be Crawford, then I am very confident I could bring that fight to Scotland."

[expe]

Time to see if Eddie will put his money where his mouth is, he has a world champion with a mandatory defence, will he stump up the cash like he should to get the fight in Glasgow, go to purse bids and probably lose, or agree a deal to go to America like usual?

[lefty]

Time to see if Eddie will put his money where his mouth is, he has a world champion with a mandatory defence, will he stump up the cash like he should to get the fight in Glasgow, go to purse bids and probably lose, or agree a deal to go to America like usual?

Vacate most likely.....

[rio]

Seen Crawford a couple of times, while he is not a big puncher but he's a very slick boxer. From what I have seen of burns recently I don't see how he wins this. Will be very interested to see if hearn stumps up the cash to bring him over as I can see arum coming up with more cash and bringing it over stateside.

[rio]

Broner all over again.. Burns Vacates this belt. Dodge.

I have been as critical as anyone over the broner situation/string of soft defences. However if he fights and beats Crawford I will take it all back. Crawford is legit. Burns starts as underdog no matter where this takes place.

[wrimc]

Tough fight seems to me Burns should take a big money fight abroad build his name in the states

[ajwesty13]

i think after all that Burns has been through with his name being draged through the mud with the last 2 fights i think hel take this fight... however i like the look of crawford very slick skills ... can only seeing the belt going to crawford imo:(

[sgtcecil]

How often does a WBO champ have to fight a mandatory? Gonzalez was a mando was he not and that was in May.

[fightscorecollector]

There is no chance of Ricky burns vacating, go read the ring mag online interview by Tom Gary today and you will see Ricky will fight Crawford.

Hopefully it's in the uk as it gives Ricky a better chance as it takes away the home comforts from Crawford.

Don't know why the who are so willing to put this fight before Beltran as Ricky only fought his mandatory in may. Beltran just like everybody says , deserves his shot. I hope after the burns-Crawford fight the winner fights Beltran. His team were class when they came to Glasgow.

If top rank want the fight stateside then they will have to pay big money which again is good for Ricky but as I said I hope it's here in uk.

Crawford is good but untested at top level, I'm sure billy and Ricky will come up with a good plan to beat him

Great fight though

[Cbl87]

The last title fight for Burns. He has over achieved, well done to him.

[JimJim2009]

Don't know why the who are so willing to put this fight before Beltran as Ricky only....

Roger Daltrey usually prefers Scot vs Yank over Scot vs Mexican. So does Pete Townsend.

[Crazyboy]

Don't know why the who are so willing to put this fight before Beltran as Ricky only....

Roger Daltrey usually prefers Scot vs Yank over Scot vs Mexican. So does Pete Townsend.

I see what ya did there

[geoffburt07]

How often does a WBO champ have to fight a mandatory? Gonzalez was a mando was he not and that was in May.

I think it's every 9 months.

[expe]

How often does a WBO champ have to fight a mandatory? Gonzalez was a mando was he not and that was in May.

I think it's every 9 months.

That's what the rules say, but the WBO enforcing two mandatories in 9 months like this is very rare.

[JimJim2009]

How often does a WBO champ have to fight a mandatory? Gonzalez was a mando was he not and that was in May.

I think it's every 9 months.

That's what the rules say, but the WBO enforcing two mandatories in 9 months like this is very rare.

Agreed. The cynic in me thinks that if the WBO regard their title holder (in a given division) as dead in the water, and there is a top contender who might become a good world champ, they will push the mandatory rules more, to bring about a changing of the guard. A new world champ contesting big fights in America could mean their percentage take of the total purse brings in more money than the previous title holder.

[lefty]

How often does a WBO champ have to fight a mandatory? Gonzalez was a mando was he not and that was in May.

I think it's every 9 months.

That's what the rules say, but the WBO enforcing two mandatories in 9 months like this is very rare.

Agreed. The cynic in me thinks that if the WBO regard their title holder (in a given division) as dead in the water, and there is a top contender who might become a good world champ, they will push the mandatory rules more, to bring about a changing of the guard. A new world champ contesting big fights in America could mean their percentage take of the total purse brings in more money than the previous title holder.[/quote]

It's also though because it's top rank I imagine who are really pushing for it. A powerful promotional team with good connections in that organisation and also the financial clout to get it done.

[black panther]

Joe Calzaghe had like 1 WBO mandatory in ten years.

[expe]

I think it's every 9 months.

That's what the rules say, but the WBO enforcing two mandatories in 9 months like this is very rare.

Agreed. The cynic in me thinks that if the WBO regard their title holder (in a given division) as dead in the water, and there is a top contender who might become a good world champ, they will push the mandatory rules more, to bring about a changing of the guard. A new world champ contesting big fights in America could mean their percentage take of the total purse brings in more money than the previous title holder.

I think Gonzalez may have been down to Warren wielding some influence with the WBO, that one sprung up quickly, but this one is more likely to be what you explained, but there's been plenty of hyped up americans come over here before and sent back across the atlantic with their tails between their legs, hopefully the same happens here.

[davie]

with or without the title, i reckon beltran deserves his rematch.

it's a fight ricky should want too. it's a winnable fight and a good confidence boost if he does win it after the last fight.

ricky has had a lay off with a serious injury, i'd be reluctant to take on crawford without some kind of tune up.

it wont sit well with most punters, but i think ricky should be focused on rebuilding.

he's taken stick for choice of opponents in the past, but i wouldn't worry about that in the short term, give that jaw a chance to heal, get a tune up out the way and then worry about titles again.

unless i've overestimated the extent of rickys injury of course

[Alba]

with or without the title, i reckon beltran deserves his rematch.

it's a fight ricky should want too. it's a winnable fight and a good confidence boost if he does win it after the last fight.

ricky has had a lay off with a serious injury, i'd be reluctant to take on crawford without some kind of tune up.

it wont sit well with most punters, but i think ricky should be focused on rebuilding.

he's taken stick for choice of opponents in the past, but i wouldn't worry about that in the short term, give that jaw a chance to heal, get a tune up out the way and then worry about titles again.

unless i've overestimated the extent of rickys injury of course

Hes never said he dosent want the rematch , the only reason hes having to fight crawford is cause the WBO are ordering it

[billy nelson]

Broner all over again.. Burns Vacates this belt. Dodge.

No way is Ricky giving up his title, he will fight whoever, do remember the only fight he's refused was Broner at 6 weeks notice.
Bring on Crawford,Beltran,Vasquez or Abril Ricky would fight any of them

[billy nelson]

Broner all over again.. Burns Vacates this belt. Dodge.

No way is Ricky giving up his title, he will fight whoever, do remember the only fight he's refused was Broner at 6 weeks notice.
Bring on Crawford,Beltran,Vasquez or Abril Ricky would fight any of them