by Tamas Pradarics

Less than fifty days ago, Julius Indongo was a completely unknown boxer from Namibia who travelled to Russia to challenge undefeated super lightweight champion Eduard Troyanovsky. Today he is a celebrated titleholder and a highly ranked fighter at the 140-pound division.

All he needed was forty seconds and a well placed left hook to take away his opponent's O and bring his IBF/IBO belts home to Namibia.

The shocking upset put Indongo’s name into the mix at 140 pounds. Negotiations quickly began regarding his next fight. Everybody wanted a piece of the new sensation and so all Indongo’s manager, Nestor Tobias, had to do was choosing the best option for his fighter.

He has been definitely effective in doing that as he secured a bout against WBA titlist Ricky Burns.

“We are excited to have successfully negotiated this super fight,” said Nestor. “It is a fight that the world is waiting to see and Indongo is up to the task. From all the offers we received, we made the right choice choosing Burns who is also a respected champion in his own right. Unifying the title was definitely the best decision because it increases the value of the bout across the world.”

The left-handed Indongo is barely used to his new role as being champion and on April 15 he can add another belt to his collection. The Namibian is thrilled to face a good fighter in Burns and he is not bothered at all by the fact he needs to travel to his opponent’s backyard in Glasgow, Scotland.

“It is an absolute honour for me to fight another world champion,” said Indongo. “Ricky is an accomplished champion, I respect what he has achieved so far, but I am going to Scotland with the grace of God, and all the hard work I have put in so far to take his WBA belt from him. I know it won’t be easy, but I have a good team, with passionate Namibian fans and I intend to make them smile on April 15.”

For Burns being a champion is a well known status. The Scottish fighter won his first belt in the super-featherweight division back in 2010. Sixteen months later he captured a second belt in a second division, by winning the WBO 135-pound title. After four successful defenses he lost his belt to Terence Crawford and moved on to the super-lightweight division. In late May of last year, Ricky fought Italian Michele Di Rocco for the vacant WBA title and won with an impressive TKO in eight rounds.

Burns had his first defense in October last year against undefeated Kiryl Relikh and won via decision. The WBA titlist is excited have his first unification fight in his long and accomplished career.

“When Julius Indongo knocked out Eduard Troyanovsky he was immediately an opponent I was interested in,” said Burns. “Indongo can clearly punch and that’s an impressive way to win a world title, especially in Russia. It was some shot he hit Troyanovsky with.”

“It’s a huge fight in the division and the kind of fights I need to be involved in at this stage of my career,” Ricky continued. “There were other names talked about but I wanted the toughest, most dangerous fight out there. Indongo with his two belts was that man. He is a big, tall, rangy, southpaw but bring it on - I have no fear of anyone and it is only the massive fights for me now.”

Boxing in Scotland in front of his enthusiastic fans is nothing new for Burns but an experience always welcomed.

“Fighting in Glasgow is special for me, the crowd at the SSE Hydro has been electric the last two occasions and I expect it to be no different this time round. Their support means the world to me, the crowd has always behind me and I want to put in a big performance for them again.”

He is definitely in great need of a massive performance against the upset-minded Indongo. I can smell fireworks in the air.