Ricky Burns to defend world title against Liam Walsh in London

Ricky Burns will put his WBO world championship belt on the line at London's ExCeL Arena.© SNS Group

Ricky Burns will defend his WBO world lightweight belt against England’s Liam Walsh at the London ExCeL centre.

The Coatbridge fighter faces a Battle of Britain away from home on Saturday, December 15, following his stunning dismissal of Kevin Mitchell inside four rounds in September.

Burns, 28, a two-time and two-weight world champ, takes on the 26-year-old Walsh, the WBO European champion in the lightweight division.

The winner of the fight will then earn a shot at the WBC belt holder, American star Adrien Broner, in a unification showdown.

Ricky Burns said that fans would be in for a treat when he heads to London.

He said: “Nothing stirs the sports fans like a good English-Scottish showdown just like my fight against Mitchell did and the fans are in for a real treat before Christmas with this one.

“Walsh is a good strong fighter, he’s unbeaten and this is his big chance to win the world title. I was ringside when he fought Paul Appleby and he showed tremendous heart and strength to come through when he was deep in trouble.

“I’ll be in the best shape possible and will leave nothing to chance for this one. The big motivator is a showdown with Broner, who I was accused of avoiding last year.

“Since moving up to lightweight and winning the world title my stock and profile has increased and now that it’s a unification fight it’s a much bigger fight than before.”

Walsh, based in Cromer, Norfolk, is confident of causing an upset against the popular Scot with backing of his army of fans.

He said: “It’s always been on my mind that I would fight him one day and it’s now here. He’s a great champion, I’ve studied and watched him throughout his career and I know I’ve got the tools to beat him.

“He’s looked great in the last few years and he did a stunning job on Mitchell. He’s in the prime of his career now so when I beat him people will know that I’ve beaten the best.

“I’ll have massive support from my ‘Farmy Army’ fans who will be coming to the Excel creating an electric atmosphere.”

WBO World Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns heads straight into another Battle of Britain when he defends his title against unbeaten challenger Liam Walsh on Saturday 15th December at London's ExCeL.

Promoter Frank Warren said that Burns and Walsh would make for a “cracking fight”.

Warren added: “Burns, as I’ve said, is Britain’s most improved fighter and he did a real job on Mitchell last month. Now he’s facing a young, tough and unbeaten challenger in Walsh who’s stepping up to the plate and really fancies the job.

“It’s a cracking fight to top the bill with at the ExCeL and one that the fans will enjoy.

“For the winner, the new golden boy of American boxing, Adrien Broner, will be waiting and he’ll put his WBC title on the line in a big unification showdown.”

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