Scotsman insists his focus is strong as he prepares for fatherhood
Ricky Burns says he is 100 per cent focused on his WBO World lightweight title defence against Raymundo Beltran at the SECC in Glasgow on September 7, live on Sky Sports, despite playing the waiting game for the birth of his first child.
The Coatbridge star defends his World title for the fourth time against the Mexican, and had hoped to become a father for the first time on Friday. Ricky and his wife Amanda are still waiting to become parents though but the 30 year old insists impending fatherhood is something he’s excited about and it won’t prevent him from putting on a top performance against ‘Sugar’.
“The baby is due at any time now but it’s not been a distraction,” said Burns. “Amanda was working until a couple of weeks ago and has only just gone on maternity leave really, the due date was last Friday so it could be any time now. Obviously we don’t want it too close to the fight but things are looking good and Amanda and the baby are both fine which is great.”
“The midwife told Amanda recently that she was quite low-maintenance and I agree! She’s just got on with it and it’s been great, and I just can’t wait to meet him or her. It’s dragging on a bit, the baby is healthy so it’s just a waiting game and we’re getting a bit impatient – and I’ll be playing the waiting game again in the fight week to get in the ring to face Beltran.
“We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl so that’s going to be exciting. We haven’t decided on names yet, Amanda thinks it’s going to be a girl and she’s got some names in mind but if it’s a boy it’s going to be baby Burns for a few days until we get a name sorted.”
Burns vs. Beltran tops a brilliant bill in Glasgow, with Olympic Gold medallist Luke Campbell MBE boxing for the second time as a pro and joined by Jon Slowey, Stephen Simmons, Scotty Cardle, and David Brophy, with more names to be announced soon.
Tickets are on sale now priced £40, £60 & £100 available through www.ticketsoup.com or by calling 08443954000. VIP packages are on sale now priced £200 exclusively through Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com.
