By James Slater: It has been confirmed (by STV.com) that reigning interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight king Ricky Burns will make the first defence of his crown against former WBA 135-pound boss Paulus Moses on March 10th at a venue still to be confirmed (in the U.K).
Plans for the Scot to face Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla fell through, reportedly due to money issues. So the experienced Namibian known as “The Hitman” gets first crack at the belt Burns won by defeating Australian warrior Michael Katsidis back in November.
Talking the fight up, Burns’ manager, Alex Morrison, told STV that Moses is a tougher fight than Crolla would have been.
“He will be a dangerous opponent,” Morrison said of Moses, 28-1(19). “He has several KO’s under his belt. Crolla was on the cards but we couldn’t agree terms. I think this will be a tougher test than Crolla would have been.
“If Ricky wants to be recognized as the world’s best lightweight then he’s going to have to face tough fighters. There’s no doubt Moses is in that bracket.”
But is 33-year-old Moses past his best?
Back in January of 2009, Moses was on top of the world, having relieved Japan’s Yusuke Korobi of the WBA 135-pound crown, beating Korobi in the defending champ’s homeland no less (WU12). One retention followed – a 12-round UD over Takehiro Shimida in Namibia – before Moses was KO’d in the 6th-round by Venezuela’s Miguel Acosta in May of 2010. Since then, Moses has won three fights in a row in his home country, all against somewhat limited opposition. The fight with Burns will be his first in the U.K.
A good boxer with dangerous power, Moses might have enough left to be able to give 28-year-old Burns, 33-2(9) a rough night. But I can’t see the in-form, at his peak Burns losing in March. Stronger up at 135 compared to 130, Burns is on a real roll; having won his last 18 bouts. Moses could be dangerous at times of course, but Burns has a great chin and he has great fitness. As usual, the 5’10” Burns will also have a height and reach advantage in this fight.
The early rounds may provide Moses with his best chances of causing a sensation, but Burns – one of the two “world” champions that the U.K has left – will eventually get into his groove and take command. It looks like another Burns points win for me.