Previously undefeated John Murray gets shocked by Kevin Mitchell at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. Mitchell returned after a 14-month layoff and wore Murray down and knocked him out in the eight round.
Ricky Burns retained his WBO super-featherweight title with a bizarre first-round stoppage victory against former champion Nicky Cook in Liverpool. He ensured he remains on course for those higher-profile showdowns on Saturday night but his win at the Echo Arena came in strange circumstances as he floored Cook three times, the first from a body-head right-handed double which seemed to injure the Englishman before further volleys put him down again and prompted his corner to retire their man.
Echo Arena, Liverpool - WBO super featherweight champion Ricky Burns (32-2, 9KOs) retained his title with a first round knockout of Nicky Cook (30-3, 16KOs). Cook, who has a history of back problems, appeared to have injured his back after being pushed back from the first landed punch after only six seconds into the first round.
John Murray and Kevin Mitchell both made the weight for their massive domestic clash in Liverpool on Saturday night.
Ricky Burns will be happy to beat Nicky Cook "by any means necessary" at Liverpool's Echo Arena on Saturday - but is confident he can produce a crowd-pleasing performance in doing so.
Frank Warren insists Ricky Burns must be at his dazzling best when he faces Nicky Cook this weekend.
Ricky Burns could be boosted this week by a visit from tennis ace Andy Murray, as he prepares for his showdown with Nicky Cook on Saturday night. The pair meet at the Liverpool Echo Arena on July 16, with Burns' WBO super-featherweight title on the line. And Burns is set to receive a last-minute call from Murray, who has been in Davis Cup action in Scotland over the last few days.
Nicky Cook has vowed to knock out Ricky Burns next weekend - and buy him a drink in his new bar afterwards.
Nicky Cook has warned English rival Ricky Burns that he'll be on the wrong end of a Cockney revival on July 16.
Ricky Burns insists his boxing career is driven by the love of the sport rather than a craving for the limelight.