Fighter of the Week - Ricky Burns

The two weight World Champion Ricky Burns is our fighter of the week after his amazing performence on Saturday with a TKO victory over Kevin Mitchell. The Coatbridge born lightweight was excellent and defied critics who claimed he has not fought anyone to be considered a world level fighter.

Ricky Burns (35-2  10ko) regained his WBO Lightweight Championship to prove he is one of the best fighters at lightweight. This is a far cry of what the young Scottish fighter was dubbed when he first become a professional boxer. Burns turned professional in 2001 winning his debut fight against Woody Greenaway by a points decision. He then went 13 fights unbeaten before earning his first shot at gaining a belt against Scottish hero Alex Arthur. Unfortunately with the European, British and Commonwealth featherweight championships on the line, Burns lost a fairly one sided fight.

Burns then returned with two victories to earn a shot at Carl Johanneson's British Super-Featherweight Championship on the line in February 2007. Burns once again suffered a comfortable decision lost. Burns then continued his winning ways before he earned himself a shot at the vacant Commonwealth Super-Featherweight Championship winning by unamious decision. The Scot then defended his Championship against Yakubu Amidu (TKO7), beating a good name at this level Michael Gomez (TKO7) and finally defeating Kevin O'Hara by unaminous decision.

Then a win in May 2006 against Youssef Al Hamidi earned Burns a shot at the WBO Super Featheweight World Championship. Burns who was a massive underdog was put on the canvas in the first round with many thinking Roman Martinez would knock out Burns like he did Nicky Cook to win the Championship. But Rickster gritted his teeth and earned a well deserved victory to the surprise of the British public. Burns defend his WBO Super-Featherweight Championship 3 times before moving up to Lightweight and fighting for the Interim WBO Light Championship winning by giving Michael Katsidis a boxing lesson.

Juan Manual Marquez gave up his lightweight crown giving Burns the full World Championship holder. Burns then beat Paulus Moses and then a huge match was made between Burns and Dagenham's Kevin Mitchell. Burns showed class and power which surprised many people involved with boxing forcing a stoppage on Mitchell. Burns deserves the creadit he will earn from this and much to everyone surprise could become a boxing great if he can continue his rise to success.

What next for Ricky Burns? I believe he should fight Gavin Rees or Scott Harrison in December 2012, As all the other belts are being contested for at the moment. Then a unifaction belt in March/April 2013 would be fantastic. I believe Ricky Burns has the world at his fingertips.