Ricky Burns Receives Whisky Incentive To Batter Evensen
Ricky Burns was today presented with a bottle of 10-year old malt whisky - and then promised to put in a vintage performance against Andreas Evensen.
The pair meet in a WBO super-featherweight title fight on Saturday night at the Braehead Arena, Glasgow.
Burns is the defending champion, and says he will not lose his belt against the Norway-based, Colombia-born Evensen.
Yet despite his whisky gift, Burns says he is more likely to celebrate victory on Saturday with a McDonalds than a booze up.
"I'm not a big drinker," the 27-year-old told PA.
"I might have one or two drinks when I'm at a friend's party or a family party and I'm usually the first to get sent home.
"So the only celebrating I'll be doing on Saturday is with a McDonald's when I'm on my way home.
"But I'm not thinking about celebrating yet. I treat all my opponents with respect.
"I am going in there as if I am the challenger and not the champion.
"I've always had the same attitude.
"I feel good and I just want to get in there on Saturday night."
At today's final head to head press conference, Evensen said he was unfazed by taking on the champion in his own backyard, and stepping up from nine stone to nine stone four.
"I am always fighting boxers who are bigger so I am used to it," he said.
"It is a step up in weight for me, from featherweight to super featherweight but I don't see it as a problem.
"I have been training with welterweights in Norway so I am prepared to meet a stronger and heavier man.
"Ricky Burns belongs at lightweight so maybe he has a bit more problem making the weight than I do."