BoxRec

Tennyson to face former champ Burns

Exciting lightweight James Tennyson is set to return to the ring against three-weight world champion Ricky Burns.

Promoter Eddie Hearn had suggested, following Tennyson's one-round demolition of Canadian Josh O'Reilly, that the Belfast man could meet another former champion, Jorge Linares. But now a deal is close to being agreed with Burns.

Last October, Burns lost a close points decision to Lee Selby and, at 37 years of age, is badly in need of a win to spark his career back into life.

For Tennyson, it would be another opportunity to put in an explosive performance and push further up the world rankings.

It is understood that Hearn is looking at April 24 as a possible date for the fight, which will be behind closed doors.

Hard-hitting Tennyson is currently ranked seven by the WBA and WBO, while the IBF have him 12th in their lightweight ratings.

Hearn and local manager Mark Dunlop are keen to give the 27-year-old a headline opportunity in Belfast but it seems that will have to wait until supporters are allowed to return.

Meanwhile, European cruiserweight champion Tommy McCarthy, also managed by Dunlop, has seen his world title hopes boosted. McCarthy is now ranked seventh by the WBC, while the WBA and IBF have the Belfast man rated at 11th and 10th.

Good fight!

Tennyson can't stop Ricky, even a way way way way past it Ricky, Ricky is nails, I wish he would retire, he'll just get beat up to a decision,

Please don't ruin your legacy Ricky, hes gonna be the kind of guy who cant retire

I think Tennyson might stop him. Been a while since burns fought last I think and Tennyson looks fresh

Tennyson wins,Burns is tough as they come though

Oiky wrote: ↑09 Feb 2021, 11:44 Tennyson wins,Burns is tough as they come though

I remember him losing a quite a bad one to a never better Carl Johanneson. Amazing to think he then won ‘world’ titles in 3 weight divisions and is still fighting now.

Ricky’s as tough as they come but everyone gets to a stage where their punch resistance slips. Hope the Tennyson fight happens as it’s a good one!

I’d prefer to see Ricky retire, I think he’s taken too many already in a long hard career. He needs to be looked after, but I don’t think we can rely on Eddie Hearn for that ..

Would be a real shame to suffer a stoppage loss at this stage of his career,pack in now or live to regret it.

Not a fight that anyone needs to see.

Why not Joe Cordina vs James Tennyson?

I’m sure he’s earned well with Hearn. Even after the whole FW lawsuit.

maverick23 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2021, 12:16

Oiky wrote: ↑09 Feb 2021, 11:44 Tennyson wins,Burns is tough as they come though

I remember him losing a quite a bad one to a never better Carl Johanneson. Amazing to think he then won ‘world’ titles in 3 weight divisions and is still fighting now.

Ricky’s as tough as they come but everyone gets to a stage where their punch resistance slips. Hope the Tennyson fight happens as it’s a good one!

You're right mate he went on to achieve well i hope the fight happens too,admittedly i would rather see him retire,but if he still has a competitive spirit then what can you do

MightyWarrior wrote: ↑09 Feb 2021, 13:05 I’d prefer to see Ricky retire, I think he’s taken too many already in a long hard career. He needs to be looked after, but I don’t think we can rely on Eddie Hearn for that ..

Ricky's still got the urge to fight. Still training hard, still coming into his fights in the best shape for his age. I think that says everything about how much he loves the sport.
Eddie is just doing his job.
And yes, I would like to see him retire too.

Burns could end up in journeyman status of he continues.

Maybe he has another big win in his, but equally if Tennyson steamrolls him, it's a sad case of one too many.

Fightnight Scores wrote: ↑09 Feb 2021, 16:35 Burns could end up in journeyman status of he continues.

Maybe he has another big win in his, but equally if Tennyson steamrolls him, it's a sad case of one too many.

That was his plan a while ago. Said he would never stop.

It’s crazy to think he’s been fighting 20 years as a pro, and fought Alex Arthur who seems to have been retired forever..14 years ago

It wouldn’t be a huge shock if Burns old manned him but it’s unlikely. Tennyson still seems to be improving.

I’d like to have seen Burns in with Ritson. Be a good crossroads fight.

Roman Martinez his best win? 11 years ago.

What a great night and fight that was to watch. One of the most enjoyable fights I've seen. Combined a small hall atmosphere with a genuine world level fight and a great story.

Great bloke ricky burns, on my pro debut we went out to his car and he got a pair of his gloves and signed them for me, hes a great ambassador for the sport, he should be given a job in boxing

Unbelievable to think when he made his pro debut i was still at school and im 36 next bday haha

garethhop wrote: ↑10 Feb 2021, 05:43 Roman Martinez his best win? 11 years ago.

What a great night and fight that was to watch. One of the most enjoyable fights I've seen. Combined a small hall atmosphere with a genuine world level fight and a great story.

Then the win over Michael Katsidis.

The Kevin Mitchell fight was good. Mostly due to the setting.

REEVE wrote: ↑10 Feb 2021, 06:17 Great bloke ricky burns, on my pro debut we went out to his car and he got a pair of his gloves and signed them for me, hes a great ambassador for the sport, he should be given a job in boxing

Unbelievable to think when he made his pro debut i was still at school and im 36 next bday haha

hope you're doing well mate

REEVE wrote: ↑10 Feb 2021, 06:17 Great bloke ricky burns, on my pro debut we went out to his car and he got a pair of his gloves and signed them for me, hes a great ambassador for the sport, he should be given a job in boxing

Unbelievable to think when he made his pro debut i was still at school and im 36 next bday haha

I've never met him but he comes across as one of soundest blokes in the sport. He always seems happy.

Always comes across as the nicest fella, another reason I don’t wanna see him taking any more punches, hope he’s got a few quid now ~ I remember he was world champion & still working in a sport shop I think...

I feel like Burns has been around for 100 years.

MightyWarrior wrote: ↑10 Feb 2021, 13:10 Always comes across as the nicest fella, another reason I don’t wanna see him taking any more punches, hope he’s got a few quid now ~ I remember he was world champion & still working in a sport shop I think...

Yeah, I remember an interview with him talking about that.
He seems like a fella that needs to be occupied. Unfortunately, that's the kind of fella that often stays on the punching side of boxing for too long.

Ricky is one of my favourite fighters of recent years. His win against Martinez was absolutely brilliant. I don't want to see the lad get his head punched in unnecessarily.

MightyWarrior wrote: ↑10 Feb 2021, 13:10 Always comes across as the nicest fella, another reason I don’t wanna see him taking any more punches, hope he’s got a few quid now ~ I remember he was world champion & still working in a sport shop I think...

Yeah, I remember an interview with him talking about that.
He seems like a fella that needs to be occupied. Unfortunately, that's the kind of fella that often stays on the punching side of boxing for too long.

Ricky is one of my favourite fighters of recent years. His win against Martinez was absolutely brilliant. I don't want to see the lad get his head punched in unnecessarily.