Ricky Burns-Paul Appleby Clash Could Happen in 2011
The East coast-West coast rivals both feature at the Braehead Arena on Saturday 4th December with WBO World Super-featherweight champion Burns defending his title against Andreas Evensen, and Appleby challenging Joseph Lareya for the Vacant Intercontinental title as chief-support, live on Sky Sports 1HD.
A win for both men will keep them on course for a mouthwatering showdown that would certainly be the biggest fight ever seen in Scotland.
Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt's epic battle in the early 70s for the British Lightweight title is the biggest all-Scottish affair so far, and more recently Scott Harrison and Alex Arthur were linked to a super-fight, but Burns v Appleby would be a huge history-making event.
Coatbridge scrapper Burns said, "I'll fight anybody who is put in front and I'd take Appleby in a heartbeat. It's a fight that everybody is talking about now that we are the same weight and he is fighting for a title on my undercard at Braehead. Of course the East coast-West coast rivalry comes into it and two Scots fighting for the world title for the first time in history would make it a massive event. I know I could beat Appleby, but Evensen is first and foremost on my mind at the moment and if I don't beat him then there won't be fight against Appleby so I've got to focus on beating Evensen first."
Appleby, who hails from South Queensferry, said, "I'd love a fight against Burns - absolutely love it. People are stopping me in the street now and asking me when I'm going to get in on with Burns. Ricky's a warrior and fought the best in the division to win the title, but against me he'd come out the loser. It's a big fight, not only for Scottish boxing, but for British boxing as a whole. So much pride and passion would be on the line, I'm sure the country would come to a standstill if we fought!
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Tickets for Monarch of the Glen, priced at £50, £75 and £100, are available from:
Braehead Arena
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Ticket Master
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