Josh King says he will derail Ricky Burns’ World title ambitions when they clash at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
King and Burns clash for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title with Burns hunting down his old World crown, but the Australian – ranked number eight in the WBO – has other ideas and says his style is all wrong for the Scotsman as he looks to land a World title shot of his own.
“I think my style of fighting will give Ricky loads of problems,” said King. “It will also win over the crowd and his promoter, Eddie Hearn.
“I been watching Ricky Burns for the past few years and hoping for this night to come. We’ve got a great plan to beat the ex-World champion. My mind set is too strong. I’m feeling very confident of getting a new WBO strap.
“In the new ratings I am ranked at number eight with the WBO and when I win this I’m looking forward to coming back to the UK to beat Terry Flanagan. I’m ready to fight any Lightweight champion anywhere, anytime.
“When this opportunity came up I jumped at it. This is exactly what I wanted. I can’t wait to get it on with this guy and get a win over a two-division World champion.
“A victory will give me the opportunity to fight for the World title but I know Ricky has pedigree and it’s not going to be easy. Ricky has done some great things in the ring.
“I’ve done a lot of things differently for this fight. I’ve changed trainers and gone to an experienced Steve Deller. I’m training in Townsville North Queensland at the Bad Boys gym. I’m more than ready to win. I see it going the distance. I’ve got to get in and out-work him; show some angles and move on him.”
King’s clash with Burns is part of a huge night of action on Merseyside as unbeaten Liverpool Super Middleweights Callum Smith and Rocky Fielding clash for the vacant British title.
Scotty Cardle defends his British Lightweight title against local favourite Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd, Prizefighter champion Tom Doran meets Rod Smith in an eliminator for the British Middleweight title and unbeaten Lightweight talent Ohara Davies faces Chris Truman.
Limited tickets are sale now from the Echo Arena website www.echoarena.com and on 0844 8000 400 – priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150.
Tickets for November 7 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.
