Burns vs. Di Rocco Set for May 28 In Scotland
By Elliot Foster
Ricky Burns has been handed the chance to win a third world title.
The Coatbridge fighter, who has won global honours at both super featherweight and lightweight, will face foreign opposition in the spring as he looks to make it a trio of triumphs at the top echelon of the sport.
Burns (39-5-1, 14 KOs) is set to be pitted against Italian veteran Michele Di Rocco (40-1-1, 18 KOs), with the pair contesting the vacant WBA super lightweight crown, on May 28 at the SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland as part of a show called ‘History In The Making'.
‘Rickster’ has only campaigned at 140lbs once in the past as he dropped a contentious decision at the hands of Omar Figueroa, a former WBC lightweight champion, in Texas last May.
But he has stepped up to the 10st division to take on the 33-year-old rather than stick at lightweight and face José Zepeda in a final eliminator for the WBO title, which is held by Terry Flanagan.
Burns, 32, last fought in the Highlands in 2014 when he was defeated by Dejan Zlaticanin for the vacant WBC International title and has been on the path back to the top since.
En-route to the homecoming, he stopped Prince Ofotsu in Hull last August before capturing the WBO Inter-Continental belt against Josh King in November.
“This is a huge fight and a massive opportunity for me to make history,” said Burns. “It feels like a long time coming returning to Glasgow and I feel this is the perfect opportunity for me to grab another world title in front of my loyal supporters.
“It's been a frustrating few years but I felt showed against Figueroa last summer that I can still mix it with the very best at world level.
“Di Rocco is a tough guy and he will bring the best out of me - but it's a fight I'm so confident I will win and give my fans a great show.
“There are massive fights for me at lightweight and super lightweight – I've spoken to my trainer Tony Sims and we feel I can compete competitively at either weight class and this fight will lead on to great things for me.”
Di Rocco is a former European super lightweight champion and, at 33, is on a 23-fight winning streak and has just two blemishes on his record –– a stoppage defeat at the hands of Giuseppe Lauri nine years ago and a draw against Giorgio Marinelli in 2006.
“I am delighted to deliver this opportunity for Ricky to make history and become a three-weight World champion,” said promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport.
“It will be the first night of boxing ever at the magnificent SSE Hydro and I know the fans will raise the roof. Di Rocco is unbeaten in nearly nine years but I truly believe Ricky will make history."
Meanwhile, Willie Limond (39-4, 11 KOs) looks set to top the undercard as his British super lightweight title challenge against Tyrone Nurse (32-2-1, 6 KOs) will be moved from its home later this month.
The clash is scheduled to feature as part of the undercard to Kell Brook’s third IBF welterweight title defence and the return of Olympic gold medal winner Luke Campbell, but it is now understood to be being relocated and will be accompanied on the Glasgow card by Commonwealth amateur champion Charlie Flynn (6-0, 1 KO) and undefeated Joe Ham (6-0, 4KOs) as they look to advance their ledgers in the paid code.
Ryan Burnett (13-0, 9 KOs) will feature on the bill too –– and the British, WBO European and WBC International bantamweight champion will be joined by southpaw super featherweight Lewis Paulin (4-0) from Edinburgh.
Elsewhere, Boxing Scene understands that Cyclone Promotions-promoted star Josh Taylor (4-0, 4 KOs), who campaigns in the super lightweight division and is a Commonwealth Games gold medal winner, is being considered for a slot on the undercard.
Elliot Foster is part of theBoxingScene.com UK news team. Twitter: @FreelanceFoz