Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
Price named for Scot to meet American in unification
WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns is expecting a huge pay
packet of £400,000 ($650,000) to put his belt on the line against WBC belt
holder Adrien Broner in the US next April, says manager Alex Morrison.
The two-weight world title-holder was called out by the confident American a few days ago to fight in February, which Broner then repeated
live on Sky Sports to UK viewers on Saturday night in LA, as he wants to be
recognised as the best in the world at 135lbs with a victory over Burns.
Coatbridge-based Burns, 29, was left frustrated as a
scheduled title defence fell apart over the weekend and now wants an interim
bout before negotiations with Broner can begin in February, according to
Morrison.
“I spoke to Ricky this morning and we decided he will not be fighting Adrian Broner in February,” Morrison told STV. “Ricky didn’t want to jump from a non-event to the biggest fight of his life in a matter of weeks.
"He’ll make a defence of his title in Glasgow in January and we’ll look at Broner after that. Ricky will (only) fight in America if the money is right. That’s £400,000 net, after fees, after tax. We could be looking at April.”
Undefeated Broner has an awesome record of 21 knockouts from 25 wins, including world belts at two weights, and is fast-becoming one of the top fighters in the world at the tender age of 23.
Burns has already pulled out of one potential clash with ‘The Problem’ due to weight issues, but may soon be given the chance to prove his mantle as one of the top British fighters of his generation if he can become the first to defeat Broner.
“I spoke to Ricky this morning and we decided he will not be fighting Adrian Broner in February,” Morrison told STV. “Ricky didn’t want to jump from a non-event to the biggest fight of his life in a matter of weeks.
"He’ll make a defence of his title in Glasgow in January and we’ll look at Broner after that. Ricky will (only) fight in America if the money is right. That’s £400,000 net, after fees, after tax. We could be looking at April.”
Undefeated Broner has an awesome record of 21 knockouts from 25 wins, including world belts at two weights, and is fast-becoming one of the top fighters in the world at the tender age of 23.
Burns has already pulled out of one potential clash with ‘The Problem’ due to weight issues, but may soon be given the chance to prove his mantle as one of the top British fighters of his generation if he can become the first to defeat Broner.