Unbeaten American says Ricky carries the weight of a nation on Saturday

Terence Crawford all the pressure is on Ricky Burns on Saturday night as the pair battle for the Scotsman’s WBO World Lightweight title at the SECC in Glasgow, live on Sky Sports – and says there’s nothing the 11,000 fans in the Arena can do to stop him.

The unbeaten American brings a fearsome reputation to Scotland with 22 wins and 16 of them inside the distance, and says he can handle the hostile home crowd as well as the champ in order to take the belt back to the States.

“Ricky has got the whole of Scotland depending on him,” said Crawford. “In the States we've got lots of World champions, in Scotland there's only one – Ricky Burns. The whole country is riding on Ricky because without him what is Scotland? The fans won't like it, but I am fine, I don't care, what can they do apart from yell and scream? I’ve fought the boos before and I'll do it again on Saturday.

“I knew I would have to come over to Scotland to fight Ricky, I have no problem with that, it's his fifth defence and he's earned the right to fight wherever he wants, that's cool with me. It's definitely my time now, it's been a bit slower than I wanted to get here but I am here now and I am ready to become a World champion, no doubt about it.”

Much has been made of Crawford’s lack of experience coming into Saturday’s fight – he has never boxed in a 12 round fight and has 81 pro rounds to Burns’ 281 – and there were even suggestions that he didn’t own a passport before he was told he’d be challenging the Scot on foreign soil.

Crawford laughed of that rumour and pointed out wins over Breidis Prescott (UD, 10) – who knocked out Amir Khan in one round in 2008 – and Alejandro Sanabria (sixth round TKO) as proof he can handle the pressure and rises to the occasion when he steps up.

“I've always had a passport,” said Crawford. “I travelled everywhere with the USA team so that's not true. We got stuck in Chicago trying to get over here because the plane didn't arrive, but it's not affected me at all.

“The media attention is no different to when I fought Prescott. I moved up a weight at short notice and won every round against him, easy.

“He's been around longer than me, done more rounds than me and been in more World title fights than me, but I heard all this before I beat Prescott, they said I couldn't go ten rounds and that he had too much experience for me and the same in the Alejandro Sanabria fight, it didn't go that way that night and it will be the same story here.”

Crawford’s World title challenge against Burns tops a great line-up of action in Glasgow, with Olympic Super Heavyweight Gold medal star Anthony Joshua MBE facing Hector Avila in his fifth pro contest.

John Simpson meets John Murray in a tasty Lightweight clash, while unbeaten Lightweight contender Scotty Cardle takes on Paul Appleby in an eight-round contest.

Joshua’s fellow Olympic medallist Anthony Ogogo is in action, Caldercruix Super Middleweight David Brophy looks to build on his 9-0-1 record on the bill, Glasgow Super Featherweight Michael Roberts can move to 14-0 with a win, former Team GB starlet Martin J. Ward is in six-round action while there is a trio of Scottish talents in four-round bouts in 20 year old Irvine Super Featherweight Ryan Collins, Wishaw’s Bantamweight Scott Allan and a debut for Glasgow’s Lightweight Ryan Smith.

Very few tickets remain on sale now priced at £40, £60 and £100 through www.ticketSOUP.com or by calling 0844 395 4000.

Michael McGurk looks to go 2-0, as he builds on his impressive KO debut


Making his debut on the annual Burns night show at the historic St Andrews Sporting Club in January, Glasgow fighter Michael McGurk started his slate with a impressive First round knockout of William Warburton which lead to it being shown on Sky Sports Ringside.


Managed by Tommy Gilmour, the 21 year old returns to action on Friday February 28th on Prospect Boxing's “Lock, Stock and Twelve Smoking Fights” show at Ravenscraig Sports Facility. Reflecting on his first fight, McGurk was delighted with his start “ I was delighted with my first fight in the pro ranks, it went better than I was expecting. Since the fight the response I've had has been incredible, people have been really supportive and tickets have been flying out for my fight on February 28th.


With a short time between his first, and second fight the Welterweight hasn’t stopped training, and is looking forward to returning “My Training is going great, I train three times a day, Six days a week so I'm more than ready for this fight. My Coaches are mock and Lawrence Murphy and I've been sparring with Michael Jamieson and many more. I feel that my preparation for the fight has been bang on so il be ready for whoever I fight come February 28th.


He adds “I'm looking forward to getting out quickly, its shaping up to be a great show so it's brilliant to be part of it. I have about 150 people are coming to watch me so I'm excited to put on a good show for them and the other people in the show. it should be a great night with a decent roster of talent.


"Lock Stock and Twelve Smoking Fights" takes place at the Ravenscraig Sports Facility on Friday February 28th 2014 .


Headlined by Rhys Pagan, the show will also see the professional début of JP McGuinness, Ryan Love, Shaun McShane, Ryan Love and Lee Gallagher.  


Returning to action is Iain Butcher, Scott Edgar and Kenny Davidson


George Thomson, David Drummond, Michael McGurk and Matthew McAllister also feature on the card.


Tickets are priced at £30 and £40 and available from the fighters directly or by calling 01698 338 888 where Credit/ Debit Cards are accepted.


Further details on @ProspectBoxing on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/ProspectBoxing

Ricky uses Campbell, Mitchell and Selby to prepare for unbeaten American

Ricky Burns says that the top class sparring he’s had in the build-up will give him the edge in his WBO World Lightweight title defence against Terence Crawford at the SECC in Glasgow on Saturday night (March 1), live on Sky Sports.

Burns travelled down to Essex recently to mix it with former title challenge foe Kevin Mitchell and unbeaten Lightweight talent Martin J. Ward, and has played host to Olympic Gold medallist Luke Campbell MBE and British, European and Commonwealth Super Featherweight champion Lee Selby in Glasgow as he plots a path to victory against the highly-rated unbeaten Omaha fighter.

“Sparring with Kevin was brilliant,” said Burns. “We did a good 30-plus rounds with him and Martin, who is a really talented boy. Luke was up in Scotland and was brilliant, he's a huge talent, and Lee came up for the last week and he's stylish and slick.

“I really think we have replicated what he will bring. I felt as if for the last couple of fights we were doing too much sparring and circuits work, and although I was in great shape, it was getting a bit repetitive for 12 weeks before a fight. My good mate Matthew has come in as my strength and conditioner, we've known each other a long time so that's helped and we're really mixing it up so it never feels boring or stale. The 6am starts for the hill sprints haven't been great fun as I'm not a morning person, but I soon got into the routine and I've really loved this camp and I think it's going to benefit me on fight night.

“Crawford is a very slick boxer, he switch hits and he's very good both orthodox and southpaw, we tried  to get Jose Gonzales over for sparring who I boxed before as he would have been ideal but sadly we couldn't get that to work, but we know what we're expecting and we've had plenty of variety in sparring.”

Burns has changed things in training to prepare for his tenth World title fight, and life for the 30 year old is very different outside the ring too as he had to leave his five-month old son Leon to travel to Tony Sims’ gym for sparring.

“Leon is great fun, he's been teething recently but his first tooth came through when I was in Essex sparring Kevin and Martin, it was a great boost to me to come back and see him again, even after just one week away,” said Burns. “I feel sorry for Amanda as I am up and out in the morning to the gym and running, then home for food and sleep, then doing the same in the afternoon and evening, while she has him all to herself, especially when I am away, so after the fight she'll be saying it's your time now!”

Burns stopped Mitchell in the fifth round of their clash for Burns’ WBO belt in September 2012, and the Londoner is backing Burns to keep hold of his title on Saturday, claiming the Scotsman is in the best shape he’s ever seen him.

“Ricky is very fit, in great shape and looking good," said Mitchell. “He's the best I've been with him in the gym; he's very strong, very fit, he knows this kid is slippery, he knows he's a great boxer and though they say he's not a big puncher, Ricky and I have spoken about the fact that you don't want to get hit by this kid because if he hits you properly he will hurt you.

“Ricky had two rocky fights and didn't perform but with fighters we're only human and you don't perform every time out.

“Don't get me wrong, as a two-weight world champion I think he's got nine defences in there, he's doing really well and he's got what it takes to beat this kid.

“I'm backing him, I've worked with him, he's a friend of mine and I shared the ring with him on a number of occasions in the gym and obviously on fight night but I fancy him to do the job, overworking him and giving him a good seeing to.”

Burns’ World title showdown with Crawford tops a great line-up of action in Glasgow, with Olympic Super Heavyweight Gold medal star Anthony Joshua MBE facing Hector Avila in his fifth pro contest.

John Simpson meets John Murray in a tasty Lightweight clash, while unbeaten Lightweight contender Scotty Cardle takes on Paul Appleby in an eight-round contest.

Joshua’s fellow Olympic medallist Anthony Ogogo is in action, Caldercruix Super Middleweight David Brophy looks to build on his 9-0-1 record on the bill, Glasgow Super Featherweight Michael Roberts can move to 14-0 with a win, former Team GB starlet Martin J. Ward is in six-round action while there is a trio of Scottish talents in four-round bouts in 20 year old Irvine Super Featherweight Ryan Collins, Wishaw’s Bantamweight Scott Allan and a debut for Glasgow’s Lightweight Ryan Smith.

Very few tickets remain on sale now priced at £40, £60 and £100 through www.ticketSOUP.com or by calling 0844 395 4000.

Bury star tops bill with Crolla, McDonnell, Campbell and Joshua

Scott Quigg will defend his WBA World Super Bantamweight title against mandatory challenger Nehomar Cermeno at the Phones 4u Arena Manchester on April 19, live on Sky Sports.

Bury hero Quigg makes the second defence of his title, and faces a stiff test in the shape of the number one challenger and interim champion from Venezuela. Cermeno landed the interim title in August with a split decision win over unbeaten Columbian Oscar Escandon, and the 34 year old aiming for third time lucky having twice tackled Anselmo Moreno for the WBA Bantamweight title in 2010.

Tickets for the bumper Manchester show go on sale at 10am tomorrow (Thursday February 20) with a star-studded line up in action.

Manchester Lightweight star Anthony Crolla will be in action with his opponent announced at a press conference next week, while former IBF Bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell and Olympic Gold medal stars Anthony Joshua MBE and Luke Campbell MBE big highlights on the bill, while Tyrone Nurse will face Tyler Goodjohn English Light Welterweight title

“I’m delighted to be back in Manchester for this monster show”, said Hearn. “Scott Quigg is in the toughest fight of his career against mandatory challenger and interim champ Cermeno who already holds impressive victories over Cristian Mijares, who faces Leo Santa Cruz in March for the WBC crown and undefeated Oscar Escandon in his last outing.

“Anthony Crolla will be in a big domestic battle, Jamie McDonnell is on the march to a second World title and Olympic Gold medallists Anthony Joshua and Luke Campbell continue their journeys to the top.”

The show hits US screens on AWE TV and their president Charles Herring said he’s delighted to bring the card to fight fans in the States.

“This card is a 'must watch’ action-packed afternoon of live world class boxing for US fight fans,” said Herring. “AWE is pleased to be delivering another great Eddie Hearn World Championship main event to boxing fans across America.”

Tickets priced at £30, £40, £60 and £100 will go on sale tomorrow at 10am via www.phones4uarena.co.uk or by calling 0844 847 8000, while £150 VIP packages are exclusively available through www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359 900.

Hull Lightweight star targets Brit showdown after Brizuela test

Tommy Coyle wants to face Kevin Mitchell on the Carl Froch vs. George Groves blockbuster rematch this summer – but knows he has to shine against Daniel Brizuela live on Sky Sports on Saturday night to land his shot.

The Hull Lightweight defends the IBF International title he captured in the Hull Ice Arena in November against John Simpson, and faces Argentinian danger man Brizuela in the same venue.

Coyle stopped the tough Scotsman in the seventh round to dismiss the demons of his heart-breaking KO loss to Derry Mathews in the summer, and says Saturday is his toughest assignment yet as he sets out to prove he is ready for big things this year.

“Daniel is a massive step up and I think it is a fight which will provide excitement,” said Coyle. “Everybody thinks that being an Argentinian, he is going to be come-forward, tough, aggressive fighter but he is actually a bit of a mover. He is a smart technician, he boxes on the back foot and he has a fantastic jab. I have sat down with my trainer Jamie Moore and we have worked out a game plan to beat him. It is going to be a tough fight, it is a 50/50 fight.”

Froch and Groves’ rematch is set to fill a stadium this summer and Coyle is aiming to pass Saturday’s examination against the Argentine to land a juicy all-Brit clash with former World title challenger Mitchell.

“That would be a fantastic fight and one I would be very confident of winning,” said Coyle. “If I was to beat Kevin, which I am confident that I will, then I could be fighting for a World title and become Hull’s first ever World champion.

“Eddie Hearn said that the fight could be on the Froch vs. Groves bill. That is a massive, massive opportunity for me and a massive incentive to win this fight.

“It would be a massive test but I think Kevin is ready for the taking. He has got a lot of miles on the clock, he is a fantastic fighter who has proved himself at the top of the domestic level and he has touched on World level. He has been in some great fights but I think it is my time. I think I am the younger, fitter, fresher, stronger kid coming up, and I think I can get the win.

“I think Saturday’s fight is tougher than the Derry one last summer because you have the pressure there of the carrot being dangled to face Kevin Mitchell. Derry has got huge punching power, great boxing ability. This guy has great boxing ability – he went to the Olympics, and that shows he has all the skills. I don’t want to count my chickens but I don’t think he has the power that Derry possesses.”

Coyle’s clash with Brizuela is part of an exciting bill in Hull, with Olympic Gold medal hero Luke Campbell MBE stepping up to eight-round action against Scott Moises in his fifth pro contest.

Darren Hamilton aiming to secure the Lonsdale belt for keeps when he defends his British Light Welterweight title against Curtis Woodhouse, while Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell faces Leigh Wood for the vacant British Super Bantamweight title.

A trio of local prospects are in action in the form of Zak Collins, Joel Haigh and Charlie Payton,  and there are four-rounders for Manchester’s Hosea Burton and New Malden’s Lerrone Richards and Liverpool Super Middleweight Tony Dodson, who is aiming to secure a Commonwealth title shot against Rocky Fielding on March 15.

Limited tickets remain on sale priced £30, £40, £60 and £120 for VIPs and are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and atwww.matchroomboxing.com

Olympic Bronze medallist faces Greg O’Neill on March 1

Anthony Ogogo will face Greg O’Neill at the SECC in Glasgow on March 1, live on Sky Sports.

The Olympic Bronze medallist boxes for the fifth time as a professional on the undercard of Ricky Burns’ WBO World Lightweight title clash with Terence Crawford, with the Lowestoft star tasting action for the first time in 2014 and looking to build on his impressive start to life in the paid ranks.

“I am really excited to be fighting on the March 1 bill and can’t wait to get back in the ring for the first time this year,” said Ogogo. “It’s a huge year for Glasgow with the Commonwealth Games going there this summer so it’s going to be great to be able to fight there and experience the city – it should be a fantastic atmosphere.”

Ogogo is joined on the bill by Team GB teammate and London 2012 Gold medallist Anthony Joshua MBE, who faces Hector Avila in his fifth pro outing.

John Simpson meets John Murray in a tasty Lightweight clash, while unbeaten Lightweight contender Scotty Cardle takes on Paul Appleby in an eight-round contest.

Super Middleweight David Brophy looks to build on his 9-0-1 record on the bill, Glasgow Super Featherweight Michael Roberts can move to 14-0 with a win, former Team GB starlet Martin J. Ward is in six-round action while there is a trio of Scottish talents in four-round bouts in 20 year old Irvine Super Featherweight Ryan Collins, Wishaw’s Bantamweight Scott Allan and a debut for Glasgow’s Lightweight Ryan Smith.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £40, £60 and £100 through www.ticketSOUP.com or by calling 0844 395 4000, with £200 VIP tickets exclusively available through www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.

With a total of four debuts on Prospect Boxing's February 28th “Lock, Stick and Twelve Smoking Fights” show, Glasgow based Shaun McShane is hoping to get his professional record off flying start .


A student of the game for some time, the 33 year old explains he has flirted with the sport for a while “I started training to lose weight when I was 13. I trained for few years at the Kelvin ABC bought never competed in any fights at that stage. I then moved to Morrison’s gym then and had my first fight at the age of 17.


With a few years out of the gym, the Irish born fighter has decided to give the professional game and has inked a professional contract with Lanarkshire based Prospect Boxing “I appreciate I am bit later than most to turn professional, but I keep myself in good shape and have a good experience in the amateur.


He adds “I had the offer when I was younger to turn professional Morrison, but didn't feel like it was the right time due to work commitments and I decided just to leave it. I am looking forward to giving the pro ranks a go but, I will just take one fight at a time and see how it goes.


Looking to February 28th, the Light Welterweight refuses to be drawn on any predications “I don't make predications on fights. You never no on the night is all I can say is if someone is going to try beat me they better be ready as I am coming for a fight.


"Lock Stock and Twelve Smoking Fights" takes place at the Ravenscraig Sports Facility on Friday February 28th 2014.


Headlined by Rhys Pagan, the show will also see the professional début of JP McGuinness, Ryan Love, Shaun McShane, Ryan Love and Lee Gallagher.  

Returning to action is Iain Butcher, Scott Edgar and Kenny Davidson

George Thomson, David Drummond, Michael McGurk and Matthew McAllister also feature on the card.


Tickets are priced at £30 and £40 and available from the fighters directly or by calling 01698 338 888 where Credit/ Debit Cards are accepted.


Further details on @ProspectBoxing on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/ProspectBoxing

Olympic Gold medal star on his guard as he steps up on Saturday

Luke Campbell MBE is back in action on Saturday night live on Sky Sports, and the Olympic Gold medal hero says he knows he is a marked man as he steps up to eight-round action.

Campbell raced to 4-0 with three stoppage wins after turning pro in July, and he faces Scott Moises in his first eight-round contest in the paid ranks at the Hull Ice Arena. The Hull star says his focus has to be razor sharp as his opponents aim to derail his faultless start to life in the pro game.

“Everybody has it in for you and everybody wants to beat you that little bit more because you are an Olympic champion,” said Campbell. “I have to be that little bit more prepared and that little bit more professional in what I do because knowing that fact that everyone would love to beat me. I have to be well prepared.

“I am not in this game to mess around and I want the titles just as much as any other boxer “But I want to assess each performance after every fight and go from there. I am an Olympic champion and I do believe in my own ability. Time will tell.”

This time last year, the 26 year old was closing in on a place in the final of Dancing On Ice, becoming a household name in the process. Twelve months on, Campbell has left the sequins behind him for the blood, sweat and tears of training and he says he is still short of hitting the heights he reached at the London 2012 Games.

“I still don’t feel as though I am as good as I was during the Olympics,” said Campbell. “There are differences of course – more rounds, no headguards, adapting to the pros – so there is a lot to take into consideration.

“There is pressure as well. There are not many professional boxers who have had four fights and been top of the bill in two of those fights. Through having the experience of the Olympics – that was pressure, serious pressure – now I look at this as sit back and enjoy it.”

Part of that learning curve for Campbell came in his last contest on the undercard of Carl Froch’s epic World title clash with George Groves at the Phones 4u Arena in Manchester in November. Campbell faced Chuck Jones in a four-round clash that he admits he was unprepared for on the night.

“I didn’t get to the stadium in time,” said Campbell. “There were a lot of knockouts, and that rushed the show on quite a lot and I wasn’t ready. I felt rushed in what I was doing but that was my own fault. I found out in the third round that it was a four rounder and not a six. I was expecting to do the six and grind him down and go for the stoppage in the last two rounds. But it was good to do the rounds – you are not going to stop everyone and it is as much about learning as it is winning and that is what I try and do with each performance.

“I haven’t changed anything to prepare for the eight rounder, I have just increased my work load. I am feeling great. It is the best I have ever felt during camp. I have tweaked a few things and I will be ready for the eight rounds. It is going to be another step up doing eight rounds, but I am looking forward to it.”

Campbell’s clash with Moises tops an exciting bill in Hull, with Darren Hamilton aiming to secure the Lonsdale belt for keeps when he defends his British Light Welterweight title against Curtis Woodhouse.

Hull star Tommy Coyle defends his IBF International Lightweight title against Daniel Brizuela, while Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell faces Leigh Wood for the vacant British Super Bantamweight title.

A trio of local prospects are in action in the form of Zak Collins, Joel Haigh and Charlie Payton,  and there are four-rounders for Manchester’s Hosea Burton and New Malden’s Lerrone Richards and Liverpool Super Middleweight Tony Dodson, who is aiming to secure a Commonwealth title shot against Rocky Fielding on March 15.

Limited tickets remain on sale priced £30, £40, £60 and £120 for VIPs and are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and atwww.matchroomboxing.com

British champ dismisses Driffield challenger ahead of Hull clash

Darren Hamilton says Curtis Woodhouse is ‘an excellent salesman’ but won’t take his British Light Welterweight title away on February 22 at the Hull Ice Arena live on Sky Sports.

Hamilton can claim the Lord Lonsdale belt outright with victory over Woodhouse, who fights for the British title for the first time in his career. Bristol man Hamilton has been in the form of his life in the last two years, claiming the scalps of Ashley Theophane, Stevie Williams and Adil Anwar in his last three clashes for the coveted strap.

Woodhouse owned the English title at Light Welterweight in 2012, losing it controversially to Shayne Singleton in March, and the champion has exchanged barbs on Twitter with the former footballer as they prepare for battle next weekend.

“Curtis is an excellent salesman,” said Hamilton. “After he loses he can go off and be a great salesman, and he has sold the fight well. He believes he is going to win, and believes the things he is saying are real.

“There are two fighters in that ring and one of them has a game plan; and the other goes in there to just try his best. In Hull you will see the game plan and the difference with the person who is just going to go in and try his best.

“I have to put Woodhouse in the same calibre of my other opponents. He has boxed two of the fighters I have boxed before [Peter McDonagh and Dave Ryan] so I have to put him in the mix. Once upon a time he was in the top ten but since the Derry Mathews performance he has dropped a bit further down, but I have to put him in contention as a contender who can mix it in the top ten.”

Hamilton’s defence against Woodhouse is part of an exciting night of action in Hull, with Olympic Gold medal hero Luke Campbell MBE stepping up to eight rounds for the first time in the paid ranks against Scott Moises.

Campbell’s fellow Hull star Tommy Coyle defends his IBF International Lightweight title against Daniel Brizuela, while Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell faces Leigh Wood for the vacant British Super Bantamweight title.

A trio of local prospects are in action in the form of Zak Collins, Joel Haigh and Charlie Payton,  and there are four-rounders for Manchester’s Hosea Burton and New Malden’s Lerrone Richards and Liverpool Super Middleweight Tony Dodson, who is aiming to secure a Commonwealth title shot against Rocky Fielding on March 15.

Limited tickets remain on sale priced £30, £40, £60 and £120 for VIPs and are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and atwww.matchroomboxing.com