David Burke to return.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 11 Aug 2004, 14:08

Seems like the lightweight devision is going to be even more crowded as ex-commonwealth champion David Burke has announced that he is returning to the ring on September the 10th (I assume on the SN bill).

Whilst I am not Burke's biggest fan he is still a welcome addition back in the lightweight ranks and as he never lost his title in the ring I would expect he might fight the winner of Bennet vs Phillips in the near future.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 11 Aug 2004, 14:54

Yes I agree, Burke is a talented enough operator and his re-inclusion cannot be bad for the health of the Lightweight division at domestic level.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 11 Aug 2004, 14:56

I don't think Burke's heart is fully in the game.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 11 Aug 2004, 15:23

I think thats a little premature, he went off the rails a bit as he has now admited after his loss to Zoff (which Skysports text service are saying he won!). I think people can re-dedicate themselves, look at Gomez.

Burke had a very long amateur career, to fight unpaid for as long as he did takes dedication and commitment.

Boxingmad · Post by **Boxingmad** » 12 Aug 2004, 07:01

He was an Olympian too, don't forget. Went to Atlanta in 1996 with Fola Okesola from the Lynn ABC in London. Both got beaten in their first bout of the Games. He also beat Scott Harrison in that year's European championships to get the British Olympic place. An excellent amateur.

His younger bro Stephen is not bad either.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 12 Aug 2004, 07:22

Burke is back because he's blown all his money.

Thats one theory I've heard.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 12 Aug 2004, 07:39

DavidPayne wrote:Burke is back because he's blown all his money.

Thats one theory I've heard.

Exactly. He was well paid for the Zoff fight (a fight he could have won with a bit more effort in the middle rounds) but he's blown it all on the Liverpool nightclub circuit. Fair play to him. But he's only back looking for another big payday.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 12 Aug 2004, 15:37

Obviously, both David and Bennie are more in the know than myself (who am merely just a fan with opinions). I just would like to give him the benefit, as I said remember Gomez.