Nonsense. Why is a WORLD CHAMPION fighting the likes of Kevin Mitchell and having the likes of Anthony Crolla being bandied about as a future opponent when he could face the other top dogs in Vasquez and Abrill?
Martinez was a great win. I can't knock that, especially as Ricky got knocked down heavily and came back to win it like he did. :good What has he done since though? Got a gift decision and beat Kevin Mitchell? Brilliant.
You tell me, Bill! Facing a top prospect and beating him (let's say) and then facing Crolla or Matthews is laughable. Somewhere the buck HAS to stop with Ricky, surely?
Kevin was very high in the rankings when yhey fought and many thought Kevin would beat Ricky, regarding Anthony I don't beleive he done anything to warrant a fight with Ricky and the vast majority would agree ( maybe not joe g lol) eddie Hearn has mentioned Anthony but when Ricky beats Crawford it would be such a huge step back the way fighting Anthony IMO, unification is a must or move up to big fights at LWW
I personally most definitely wouldn't want that mate! We all want to try and fight the best out there just need to get the fights made
It comes to a stage where everyone has to be honest Burns should he beat Crawford is at the stage of his career where unification fights interest the fans....but it becomes about one thing only the best purse with the best chance of victory.Unification or not. Crolla is a good fighter good following but a backward step that he shouldn't take no upside for him wins so what being the line.
So if/when Burns beats Crawford he has three options: 1) Unification fight against one of Abril or Vasquez - I would rather see him against Abril 2) Have a British fight against Crolla, Mitchell 2 or maybe the underrated Flanagan, although he has just signed for FW (I think) so that could be harder - Definitely a backwards step for Burns as he is a level above these guys 3) Move up in weight and try and become a three weight world champion - Peterson definitely looks beatable so maybe that is the way to go, unless Garcia moves up to Welter I would rather see number 1, unless he could be guaranteed a shot at Peterson or wait until Garcia moves up.
All of our champions are a bit Mickey mouse at the moment. Not one has a valid claim to being the best in the world.
All talk if unifications for burns is nonsense. He sells tickets against unknowns and isn't on the same level as the other champs. In another era he is a solid British titlist at best.
I was one of the ones who gave Burns credit in the Gonzalez fight he dug deep to win. He lost the Beltran fight but still gave it a go. Likeable fighter and one of Britain's best. I think that some on here give him flack due to Billy Nelson to be honest.
Honestly I don't think Ricky was lucky to beat Gonzalez. He was getting his head boxed off but he toughed it out and got the win well within the distance, Froch gets credit for a come from behind win against Taylor. The Raymundo Beltran decision was a disgrace but at least Ricky didn't claim he deserved the decision or a win like Bradley or Froch did.
I am a huge Ricky Burns fan, I think he is a credit to not only Scottish boxing but to all sport in Scotland. He was lucky against Beltran, the mexican should have been awarded his title no question about it. However boxing with his jaw broke definately effected his performance, he did exceptional just to make it through the fight where many other fighters including current world champs would not have. The Crawford fight will be hard for him. If he gets past TC I would love to see Ricky in an eliminator with Abril or Vasquez. These fights would define his career. No one is really interested in Crolla, Mitchell or Matthews fights. Ricky won't last forever so get him the top fights while he is still able for them.
Ricky is an overachiever. That isn't meant as a dig, its simply that he jumped up levels after the Martinez win. Nobody gave him a hope against Martinez, and most of the press thought he'd be lucky to hear the final bell, but Ricky fought the fight of his life and showed what he is capable of. However, since then he's been under the microscope and criticised constantly. He toughed it out against Gonzalez, and had a get out of jail card against Beltran, but i still believe he's capable of fighting at the top level. As somebody already mentioned, Ricky seems to be headhunting in fights since stopping Mitchell fight and i'd much rather see him stick to his boxing. Lets see how he performs against Crawford, hopefully he'll redeem himself and prove the doubters wrong (although if he does beat Crawford they'll label Crawford a hype job and give Ricky no credit) Mon Ricky son !