Ricky Burns and Terence Crawford are eager to get in the ring after both men have ‘dream’ camps
WBO Lightweight World Champion Ricky Burns met his unbeaten challenger Terence Crawford for the first time at the final press conference today for Saturday night’s huge ‘Man of Steel’ show at the SECC, Glasgow live on Sky Sports.
Burns retained his title in controversial circumstances in September after his bout with Mexican Raymundo Beltran was scored as a draw. The Coatbridge man fought on in the SECC despite suffering a broken haw in the second row of the contest.
“I really can’t wait for the night,” said Burns. “What an atmosphere it’s going to be in the SECC. I want to thank everyone who is coming down and everyone who has supported me over this 12 week camp.
“No one knows more than us that this is going to be a very difficult fight, but fingers crossed that we’ve done everything we can to prepare for it. I’m ready for whatever will come my way on Saturday. It’s going to be a good night.”
“This has been our best camp ever,” said Burns’ coach Billy Nelson. “The variation and quality in the sparring has been the best we’ve had yet, and each week Ricky has been getting progressively better and will peak on Saturday night. It’s a fight that we’re really looking forward to and we will be victorious on Saturday night.”
Victory for Burns would make him Scotland’s most successful boxer of all time, overtaking Scott Harrison.
Meanwhile American fighter Crawford comes into the fight with a record of 16 knockouts from his 22 fights but Nelson says the challenger will have to deal with a strong home crowd.
“I know he says that he’s ready to fight,” said Crawford. “I know that he says that he has had great sparring, well good for him. So have I, so may the best man win on Saturday
“This is a wonderful fight,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “I’ve said in many interviews that I believe that this is the best fight in the 135lb division. Stylistically, entertainment-wise, they are two great fighters, two of the best lightweights in the World, this is big-time boxing at the very, very top and it will be an elite-level fight on Saturday. Don’t miss it.”
Tickets for ‘Man of Steel’ are SOLD OUT but you can watch all the action live on Sky Sports from 7pm on Saturday night.
