Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn is kicking around the idea of pitting his fighter Ricky Burns (37-4-1, 11 KOs) against the winner of the October 25th fight between Michael Katsidis (30-6, 24 KOs) and Tommy Coyle (19-2, 8 KOs). Hearn wants to bring the 31-year-old Burns back to Glasgow, Scotland for his next fight.
Last Saturday night, Burns labored to an 8 round points decision victory over Alexandre Lepelley (17-2-1, 3 KOs) at the First Direct Arena, Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. It was Burns’ first and possibly his last fight at light welterweight. Immediately after the fight, Burns talked about wanting to move back down to lightweight. It’s a move that Burns pretty much has to make because he doesn’t have the frame to be fighting at light welterweight nor the power as well.
“There’s big fights for Ricky and plenty of options,” Hearn said via the Dailyrecord.co.uk. “We will keep an eye on Coyle vs Katsidis and we will look to get Ricky back out in a big show in Glasgow after the turn of the year.”
It’s a smart move for Hearn to match Burns against the likes of Katsidis and Coyle, because he’d likely struggle if he were put in with a good lightweight like Raymundo Beltran, Jorge Linares or John Molina. All three of those fighters would very likely beat Burns. At this point it’ll be difficult for Burns to beat even Katsidis, Kevin Mitchell and Anthony Crolla. Hearn has mentioned wanting to put Burns in with Mitchell and Crolla, but those are fights that Burns would likely lose at this point.
Katsidis would be a good test for Burns, because the two of them previously fought in 2011 with Burns winning a 12 round decision. Burns spent much of the fight with his back against the ropes covering up while Katsidis unloaded flurries on him.
“I made light welter probably too comfortably,” Burns said. “I don’t think I was any bigger at light welter. I came in a pound under the limit so if I approach it right I’ll have no problems going back down.”
Burns didn’t look bigger in terms of muscle, but he did look bigger around the waist. He was clearly heavier in the midsection, and he was sluggish. He needed to put on muscle weight in moving up to 140, but instead it just looks like Burns put on fat around his midsection.
