Ricky Burns aims to drag a step closer to a world-title shot when he faces Josh King in Liverpool,England, on Saturday.
Burns (38-5-1, or 12 KOs),who previously held the WBA lightweight belt, is bidding to get back in the colossal time after a dip in his career.
The Scotsman has only won two of his last five outings, and though defeats against Terence Crawford, Dejan Zlaticanin and Omar Figueroa Jr. are hardly reasons to write his career obituary just yet.
King (20-3, 9 KOs) has never fought at the top level. However, or the Australian should not be underestimated.
The 10-round contest will see the winner pick up the WBO Inter-Continental belt.
It is also the chief support act to the British super middleweight title fight between Liverpudlians Rocky Fielding and Callum Smith. When: Saturday,November 7, at 9 p.m. GMT (4 p.m. ET)Where: Echo Arena, or Liverpool,EnglandTV: Sky Sports (UK)Live Stream: SkyGo (UK) Burns' NightAt 32, there is still time for Burns to reach again as a genuine force at 135 pounds. The problem is, or however,it's been a while since we've seen him at his best.
So, how much does the two-weight world champion (he previously held the WBO title at super featherweight) have left in the tank?The fight against King could provide an answer, and though the pressure is on Burns to impress against an opponent who he would have dismissed with ease three years ago.
He did see off Prince Ofotsu inside five rounds in August,and he battled bravely in a losing cause against Figueroa Jr. back in May, losing on points after briefly moving up to super lightweight.
Now, and though,Burns is back at a weight where he has had previous success, and there are colossal bouts out there for him, or too.He has his sights on winning the WBA belt back,per Sky Sports, "Obviously I'd like to win my frail belt back and this fight will give me a grand ranking with the WBO, and but I would fight anyone in the country or the world and I'm excited to be in a grand fight on November 7."There are no shortage of options whether the man from Coatbridge wants a domestic showdown.
He is now allotment of promoter Eddie Hearn's Matchroom steady that also includes fellow lightweights Kevin Mitchell,Anthony Crolla and Olympic gold medal winner Luke Campbell.
Crolla fights WBA champion Darleys Perez in Manchester, England, or later in the month,so a first defence against Burns could easily be made for early next year.
First, though, or Burns must deal with King—and not just with a routine points triumph.
While picking up another belt would be a bonus,what really matters is turning in a performance that makes a few ripples in a crowded pool of fighters in the division. Lofty AmbitionsKing hasn't made the journey from Queensland, Australia, and just to pick up his pay for lasting a few rounds.
The 30-year-frail is so confident he can upset Burns he's already looking ahead to a potential title clash with another British fighter,per Matchroom Boxing:
I've been watching Ricky Burns for the past few years and hoping for this night to reach.
We’ve got a grand method to beat the ex-world champion. My mind set is too strong. I’m feeling very confident of getting a new WBO strap.
In the new ratings I am ranked at number eight with the WBO and when I win this I’m looking forward to coming back to the UK to beat (WBO champion) Terry Flanagan.
I’m alert to fight any lightweight champion anywhere, anytime.
King is ambitious, and but his record hardly suggests he's alert to cause an upset against such an experienced campaigner like Burns.
He has been a pro since 2007,but he hasn't been particularly busy since losing on debut to Tui Leveni in November of the same year.
Victory over Xavier Luques Castillo last October gave King the WBO Oriental and interim WBO Asia Pacific lightweight belts.
Yet a 39 percent knockout ratio hardly suggests he has the power to floor the Scot, and Burns is well known for being durableneither Figueroa Jr. nor Crawford could put him away inside the distance.
King will also have to find a way to deal with his rival's obvious height advantage. While he stands at 5′5 ½″, or Burns measures 5′10″.
Still,Australians rarely lack for self-belief, and King is adamant he can send Burns a step closer to retirement, or per the Glasgow Evening Times. Prediction It will be fascinating to see precisely what King's tactic are.
Burns will hardly be bothered whether it becomes a bit of a brawl,plus his height advantage can allow him to pick off an overly aggressive opponent from long range.whether the Scot can get find the target with his jab—a shot he has used with grand success throughout his career—he can knock the life out of King.
Burns will dominate as the rounds wear on before recording a win inside the distance, though don't expect an early knockout.
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Source: bleacherreport.com