Comments Thread For: Can The United States Import Ricky Burns?

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

by Cliff Rold - It only feels like there isn’t much going on in boxing this week if you live in the U.S.

Scottish fans have plenty to celebrate this Saturday. Their brightest talent in years, former Jr. Lightweight and current Lightweight titlist Ricky Burns (34-2, 9 KO), unbeaten in 19 fights since 2007, is back to scratch. He’ll face British challenger Kevin Mitchell (33-1, 24 KO) and the styles should mix just right.

On paper, it’s the fight of the week and could even rise to be more than that. Both men can box and brawl, and neither really does boring well. It should, at the least, be the most bell-to-bell entertaining scrap since Marcos Maidana-Jesus Soto Karass.

Burns, fighting in Glasgow this weekend and in the U.K. exclusively throughout his career, has built one heck of a fun fan base. Anyone reading ever seen a Burns fight? If not, get thee to YouTube. Burns fans are almost as much fun as the fighter.

In a week where former Jr. Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton has announced a return to the ring, bringing his own lively fan base back for another round of singing and drinking (if not in that order), Burns stands out as someone who could capture the same sort of lightning in a bottle. [Click Here To Read More]

[fladz]

I'd love to see Burns travel and get some Stateside exposure, probably won't happen with Frank Warren though sadly. I can't think of a more affable, down to Earth boxer in the game at the moment, and a consummate professional, he deserves all the success that comes his way.

[Russian Crushin]

No, its best for burns to stay home

[Uncle Rodge]

I'd love to see Burns travel and get some Stateside exposure, probably won't happen with Frank Warren though sadly. I can't think of a more affable, down to Earth boxer in the game at the moment, and a consummate professional, he deserves all the success that comes his way.

100% agree with you there pal (and i'm English, lol)

[dan_cov]

Every article uses that ridiculous triangle theory
Why no mention of how Carl Johanneson shutout Ricky Burns and a year later met Mitchell who destroyed him in 9?

Hope Mitchell pulls this off, whilst Burns has grown on me I'm a bit tired of his opponent selection and defending his title in his hometown (not his fault more Warrens). At least Mitchell will try unify with DeMarco and give the fans what they want to see.

[Weebler I]

lol so the Scottish Ricky Burns will be fighting the British Kevin Mitchell?

They're both British Cliff, Burns Scottish, Mitchell English.

[D-MiZe]

How can you go from calling Burns Scottish to Mitchell British?



No, the US won't import Burns. Boring style, no knockout power nor charisma. I guess he has a nice story in the fact that he still works at his local sportswear retail outlet on the weekends.

[PD21]

America might have to import Burns if all he keeps doing is winning which is whats happening at the moment.

Mitchel is a tougfh but if he comes through that teh next step is either fighting mandatories at home or showing the world his skills overseas. Its generallly teh case that the Brits minus Lewis stay at home racking up easy defences for afew years until teh ye ar ready to venture to the States to cash in ( Calzaghe, Hatton, Khan)
Burns has already shown he is better than we thought and his win over Martinez looks better since Martinez won that thriller at the weekend to win back the title.

Burns will eventually make that transition overseas so the Americans will see his fights and travelling support. Question is will it be sucessful or shortlived. He seems to have the fundanmentals in place so unless he meets a supreme fighter set to rule for a while like Broner is expected to then Ithink Ricky will do very well.
Ricky vs Broner is like Hatton vs Floyd 2 .

[Weebler I]

Its generallly teh case that the Brits minus Lewis stay at home racking up easy defences for afew years until teh ye ar ready to venture to the States to cash in ( Calzaghe, Hatton, Khan)

It is the same for US fighters. No young boxing prospect is taking on the best of the division 'straight out the gate', all fighters do an apprenticeship of sorts before stepping up.

The only difference is British/European fighters have to travel upwards of 7,000 miles from home when they do.

[PD21]

It is the same for US fighters. No young boxing prospect is taking on the best of the division 'straight out the gate', all fighters do an apprenticeship of sorts before stepping up.

The only difference is British/European fighters have to travel upwards of 7,000 miles from home when they do.

Weebler.

All true. Brits need to travel to be fully appreciated whereas Ward has already achieved superstar status and people calling him number 1 p4p without him ever having to leave his backyard. It seems al little unfair but if guys like Floyd and Ward had to travel they'd probably experience a loss on their record because they cant punch and wouldnt struggle to take a points verdict in someone elses backyard. But thats boxing for ya.

Ricky will have to prove himself the hard way cuz if he stays in Britain the wider community wont take him seriously despite being obviously one of the best fighters in the world.