Big announcement regarding Ricky Burns?

[Andrew]

Joke fight. Both are euro level at best and always have been. Burns hasn't won a relevant fight in over 30 months and now fighting for a world title unreal

The WBA

[Stuarty]

Joke fight. Both are euro level at best and always have been. Burns hasn't won a relevant fight in over 30 months and now fighting for a world title unreal

Burns deserves more respect than that. He isn't what he was but he's a two weight world champion and well above European level when he was on form. I agree he shouldn't be anywhere near a world title but it's the WBA and nobody will really count him as a champion. I don't begrudge him in the slightest though.

[dalcumly]

Di Rocco has a good record albeit he's never fought outside Italy. Fights regularly, and in recent years has started to stop his opponents.Is currently the European champion, and I don't understand why this can't be for that title, at least it would have more credibility. Lost previously to Guiseppi Lauri but later knocked him out in a round. From the record alone it might be a really good match up. Early to predict but it looks like a 12 rounder.

[Andrew]

Di Rocco has a good record albeit he's never fought outside Italy. Fights regularly, and in recent years has started to stop his opponents.Is currently the European champion, and I don't understand why this can't be for that title, at least it would have more credibility. Lost previously to Guiseppi Lauri but later knocked him out in a round. From the record alone it might be a really good match up. Early to predict but it looks like a 12 rounder.

If it was labelled a final eliminator for Broner I would be all for it

[Stuarty]

Di Rocco has a good record albeit he's never fought outside Italy. Fights regularly, and in recent years has started to stop his opponents.Is currently the European champion, and I don't understand why this can't be for that title, at least it would have more credibility. Lost previously to Guiseppi Lauri but later knocked him out in a round. From the record alone it might be a really good match up. Early to predict but it looks like a 12 rounder.

If it was labelled a final eliminator for Broner I would be all for it

It is in a way really. Only you have the WBA paper trinket on the line. This title they are fighting for means very little in the grand scale of things. Can't see whoever wins troubling the likes of Broner, Crawford or Postol etc... Even the fringe guys like Matthysse and Provodnikov are probably a level above.

[Andrew]

Di Rocco has a good record albeit he's never fought outside Italy. Fights regularly, and in recent years has started to stop his opponents.Is currently the European champion, and I don't understand why this can't be for that title, at least it would have more credibility. Lost previously to Guiseppi Lauri but later knocked him out in a round. From the record alone it might be a really good match up. Early to predict but it looks like a 12 rounder.

If it was labelled a final eliminator for Broner I would be all for it

It is in a way really. Only you have the WBA paper trinket on the line. This title they are fighting for means very little in the grand scale of things. Can't see whoever wins troubling the likes of Broner, Crawford or Postol etc... Even the fringe guys like Matthysse and Provodnikov are probably a level above.

The thing is the WBA seemed to be getting rid of these fake belts so it's a joke it's on the line here so fast Eddie can parade it as a world title fight. Another thing Benevidez seems to have been crapped on by the WBA too as he was interim champ and would probably beat Burns.

Right about the guys you've mentioned above though

[Stuarty]

If it was labelled a final eliminator for Broner I would be all for it

It is in a way really. Only you have the WBA paper trinket on the line. This title they are fighting for means very little in the grand scale of things. Can't see whoever wins troubling the likes of Broner, Crawford or Postol etc... Even the fringe guys like Matthysse and Provodnikov are probably a level above.

The thing is the WBA seemed to be getting rid of these fake belts so it's a joke it's on the line here so fast Eddie can parade it as a world title fight. Another thing Benevidez seems to have been crapped on by the WBA too as he was interim champ and would probably beat Burns.

Right about the guys you've mentioned above though

True. I'd forgotten about Benavidez. Makes you wonder what goes on in the WBAs offices! They are either all constantly off their nut on crack or it's back handers galore or both! Absolute joke of an organisation. The winner will probably have to face Benavidez then rather than Broner I'd imagine. I don't have any qualms with Burns getting the opportunity as he deserves a bit of luck. Good chance of a couple of decent pay days here if Burns wins but I reckon he'd have had a better chance of picking up a legitimate title at lightweight.

[expe]

It is in a way really. Only you have the WBA paper trinket on the line. This title they are fighting for means very little in the grand scale of things. Can't see whoever wins troubling the likes of Broner, Crawford or Postol etc... Even the fringe guys like Matthysse and Provodnikov are probably a level above.

The thing is the WBA seemed to be getting rid of these fake belts so it's a joke it's on the line here so fast Eddie can parade it as a world title fight. Another thing Benevidez seems to have been crapped on by the WBA too as he was interim champ and would probably beat Burns.

Right about the guys you've mentioned above though

True. I'd forgotten about Benavidez. Makes you wonder what goes on in the WBAs offices! They are either all constantly off their nut on crack or it's back handers galore or both! Absolute joke of an organisation. The winner will probably have to face Benavidez then rather than Broner I'd imagine. I don't have any qualms with Burns getting the opportunity as he deserves a bit of luck. Good chance of a couple of decent pay days here if Burns wins but I reckon he'd have had a better chance of picking up a legitimate title at lightweight.

Benavidez has vacated. The winner of this has to fight the winner of Broner-Theophane within 120 days of April 1st.

[ttornado]

They are either all constantly off their nut on crack or it's back handers galore or both! Absolute joke of an organisation.

Neither, they just made a way to get legal bribes, create more belts and get more sanctioning fees. But yes they are a joke.

[Stuarty]

The thing is the WBA seemed to be getting rid of these fake belts so it's a joke it's on the line here so fast Eddie can parade it as a world title fight. Another thing Benevidez seems to have been crapped on by the WBA too as he was interim champ and would probably beat Burns.

Right about the guys you've mentioned above though

True. I'd forgotten about Benavidez. Makes you wonder what goes on in the WBAs offices! They are either all constantly off their nut on crack or it's back handers galore or both! Absolute joke of an organisation. The winner will probably have to face Benavidez then rather than Broner I'd imagine. I don't have any qualms with Burns getting the opportunity as he deserves a bit of luck. Good chance of a couple of decent pay days here if Burns wins but I reckon he'd have had a better chance of picking up a legitimate title at lightweight.

Benavidez has vacated. The winner of this has to fight the winner of Broner-Theophane within 120 days of April 1st.

Didn't know that mate. Do you reckon Broner will face the winner or look elsewhere? I'm not so sure. He's got a bit of stick for fighting Theophane so may want to look elsewhere after that fight. Would love to see Crawford slap him about...

[expe]

True. I'd forgotten about Benavidez. Makes you wonder what goes on in the WBAs offices! They are either all constantly off their nut on crack or it's back handers galore or both! Absolute joke of an organisation. The winner will probably have to face Benavidez then rather than Broner I'd imagine. I don't have any qualms with Burns getting the opportunity as he deserves a bit of luck. Good chance of a couple of decent pay days here if Burns wins but I reckon he'd have had a better chance of picking up a legitimate title at lightweight.

Benavidez has vacated. The winner of this has to fight the winner of Broner-Theophane within 120 days of April 1st.

Didn't know that mate. Do you reckon Broner will face the winner or look elsewhere? I'm not so sure. He's got a bit of stick for fighting Theophane so may want to look elsewhere after that fight. Would love to see Crawford slap him about...

As always it will be probably depend on what Al Haymon decides.

[Supremo]

Dont know a thing about the opponent but naively in my mind that makes it a good opportunity for Burns. Will be good to have a good night of boxing in Glasgow again no matter what title is on the line.

As for Stuarty30 who mentioned Burns being such an active amateur, if my memory serves me correctly he managed an amateur record of over 100 fights. Ive heard he actually won 100 and only lost a few but dont know how true that is. Also despite not having a reputation as a puncher in the pros he was well known for getting people out of there early i the ams. All the boys from the Barn were and still are very active in the amateurs with Rab Bannon the trainer there being one of the few old school trainers remaining. He lives for the sport and breeds fighters to be the same from an early age.

Anyway, I think I will treat myself to some good tickets for this upcoming show as it may be the last of its kind for a while in Scotland if Burns doesnt produce the goods.

He was 90-6 in the amateurs

[Supremo]

Dont know a thing about the opponent but naively in my mind that makes it a good opportunity for Burns. Will be good to have a good night of boxing in Glasgow again no matter what title is on the line.

As for Stuarty30 who mentioned Burns being such an active amateur, if my memory serves me correctly he managed an amateur record of over 100 fights. Ive heard he actually won 100 and only lost a few but dont know how true that is. Also despite not having a reputation as a puncher in the pros he was well known for getting people out of there early i the ams. All the boys from the Barn were and still are very active in the amateurs with Rab Bannon the trainer there being one of the few old school trainers remaining. He lives for the sport and breeds fighters to be the same from an early age.

Anyway, I think I will treat myself to some good tickets for this upcoming show as it may be the last of its kind for a while in Scotland if Burns doesnt produce the goods.

I think you're correct there mate. Burns had a lot of fights at amateur and had a big reputation. Can't remember what weight he fought at. When I was younger the two big names that always came up were Burns and Craig McEwan on the amateur circuit. McEwan was outstanding as a youngster. I remember Rab Bannon well. Some character lol. Was Burns not trained by his old amateur trainer up until the Johanson defeat then he went with Billy Nelson?

Aye he left Rab after Johanson which is fair enough as I don't think anyone thought he would go on and win a world title so he was totally vindicated- however, I know Rab doesn't like the fact in all his high profile interviews after championship fights he never once gave The Barn or Rab a mention/thanks.

[Stuarty]

Dont know a thing about the opponent but naively in my mind that makes it a good opportunity for Burns. Will be good to have a good night of boxing in Glasgow again no matter what title is on the line.

As for Stuarty30 who mentioned Burns being such an active amateur, if my memory serves me correctly he managed an amateur record of over 100 fights. Ive heard he actually won 100 and only lost a few but dont know how true that is. Also despite not having a reputation as a puncher in the pros he was well known for getting people out of there early i the ams. All the boys from the Barn were and still are very active in the amateurs with Rab Bannon the trainer there being one of the few old school trainers remaining. He lives for the sport and breeds fighters to be the same from an early age.

Anyway, I think I will treat myself to some good tickets for this upcoming show as it may be the last of its kind for a while in Scotland if Burns doesnt produce the goods.

I think you're correct there mate. Burns had a lot of fights at amateur and had a big reputation. Can't remember what weight he fought at. When I was younger the two big names that always came up were Burns and Craig McEwan on the amateur circuit. McEwan was outstanding as a youngster. I remember Rab Bannon well. Some character lol. Was Burns not trained by his old amateur trainer up until the Johanson defeat then he went with Billy Nelson?

Aye he left Rab after Johanson which is fair enough as I don't think anyone thought he would go on and win a world title so he was totally vindicated- however, I know Rab doesn't like the fact in all his high profile interviews after championship fights he never once gave The Barn or Rab a mention/thanks.

Aye that must stick in his craw a bit. Take it there is a bit of static between the two of them? Do they not keep in touch?

[Supremo]

Rab is stubborn and holds a grudge when he feels he's had the dirty done on him and took it personally. But I think he's cooled a lot he was at a lot of his championship fights and Ricky has turned up at the odd Barn show over the years and he came down the gym with his belts for the Local press a few years ago as well.

Rab got awarded Scotland 'unsung hero' award this year by the BBC and during the interview he was asked about trading a world champion- he pointed out he trained 2! Ha ha and he had a Wee big at Ricky for not giving the club credit for his development but the BBC never broadcast it.

[keithmoonhangover]

All of the world title belts are a joke, so I've given up moaning about if boxers not deserving shots. I just want to see lots of good match ups. Whatever happens, I wish Burns well. He comes across as a very nice man.

[brilo33]

huge ricky burns fan, dont care who he fights i would cheer him on , the boy is brave as any thing,i ll like to see him earn something from the game ,he has given loads too,his fights in Scotland with the fans,and the atmosphere where the brilliant