Ricky Burns celebrates one year since famous win

Sep 7 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

Ricky Burns

RICKY BURNS says the memory of his world title victory will stay with him forever.

The WBO super-featherweight champion celebrated the first anniversary of his stunning win over Puerto Rico’s Roman Martinez at the weekend.

On a magical night at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, Burns upset the odds and clinched the belt on points following an absorbing contest.

And the Kirkwood ace, who produced the best performance of his career to sink Martinez, says he’ll never forget one of the greatest occasions in Scottish boxing.

“I’m still trying to take it all in,” he told Advertiser Sport. “I’m still getting used to the status of being a world champion.

“Everybody knows I haven’t changed. I’m still the same person I was before that night.

“It will be a night I’ll always remember. The atmosphere inside the Kelvin Hall was incredible and the support I had was amazing.”

Burns has since defended his title three times and looks set to head to the United States for his next bout.

The 28-year-old will take on Adrien Broner, who has won all 21 of his professional fights, in the American’s home city of Cincinnati with the clash pencilled in for the end of November.

“I think everybody knew that I wanted to fight for the Ring Magazine belt which is the reason why I wanted Fana,” Burns added.

“But now I’ve got to box my mandatory challenger. Everybody is saying Adrien will be one of the pound-for-pound stars of the future.

“I’m being written off already but I will prepare for the fight in the same way as I treat every other fight.

“The fight may be in his home city but that doesn’t bother me. A boxing ring is a boxing ring.

“His promoters want the fight over there. They want his name known but that can be good for me as well.

“I think fighting in the States is something I’ve always wanted to do although it would have been nice if it was in Las Vegas.”

Burns has kept himself busy by sparring with South Queensferry’s Paul Appleby and Wales’ Gavin Rees.

Appleby is gearing up for a Commonwealth super-featherweight contest with Liam Walsh on September 30 while Rees faces Derry Matthews on October 1 in a European lightweight title showdown.

Burns said: “I took a couple of weeks off after the Nicky Cook fight in July but I’m back in training now and doing a bit of sparring.

“Paul is fighting for a title at the end of the month so I’ve been helping him and I’ve also been Gavin’s sparring partner.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. The next best thing to a fight is sparring so I’m happy.”