Ricky Burns 10 World Title fights

Billy mate I have seen you speak about the 10 fights in a row in a couple of threads now but tbh I would see Anthony Crolla, John Murray and Derry Mathews as good if not better than some of the opponents Ricky faced in the 10 fights. This is not to try dismiss Ricky's achievements but if we look at the opponents how much of them were World Class?

To dismiss these fighters as domestic level and not worthy of a fight with Ricky is disrespectful to John Murray, Anthony Crolla and Derry Mathews. I'm not saying they are better but when we look at some of the fighters who got a world title fight against Ricky I think these fighters deserve at least a chance to show where they and Ricky are at the moment

I respect your opinion when it comes to fighters and would like to hear your honest opinion on where you would rate them, here is my opinion for what it's worth:

Roman Martinez: Ricky done brilliant that night to beat Roman Martinez, especially after the early knockdown. Martinez is world class imo

Andreas Evenson: 1st defence so there is no shame in having an easy one but imo Anthony Crolla, John Murray and Derry Mathews beat him comfortable

Joseph Lareya: Only got the fight because he beat Paul Appleby, Paul was expected to win and didn't turn up on the night. imo Anthony Crolla, John Murray and Derry Mathews beat him comfortable.

Nicky Cook: Not deserving of the shot imo and the fight ended a farce with his injury. Anthony Crolla, John Murray and Derry Mathews would defo be as deserving of a shot as Nicky Cook, especially as a warm up fight.

Michael Katsidis: A great name and a good win against a world level operator but I think even you would admit Billy his best days were probably behind him at that stage of his career but he was still a live opponent. I would see John Murray beat him in a war, Anthony Crolla Might out box him but I think he might be too small.

Paulus Moses: A good record and a decent boxer, fails in his 2 shots at a World Title but defo worth his shot at Ricky. John Murray and Anthony Crolla would get wins against him too.

Kevin Mitchell: Great British battle and Kevin defo deserved another shot at the World Title, Ricky was immense and I would have liked to see him box that way against Crawford!! He might still be World Champion. Imo Kevin beats all 3 other domestic opponents.

Jose A Gonzalez: This was the fight that seemed to start the problems with Ricky, I think he hit Ricky harder than he had been hit before but Ricky proved his toughness by breaking Gonzalez heart and showing everyone why he deserved to be fighting at world level, but at the same time I think it knocked Ricky's confidence just a bit. I think John Murray would be too big and strong for Gonzalez and would too break his heart.

Raymundo Beltran: Not a fight I would have picked for Ricky after the scare against Gonzalez, Beltran is World Level and is a typical tough Mexican who will stand and fight you all night. Once again great heart and courage for Ricky to come through this fight and get the draw. I'm sure the rematch would have been a great fight too and if Ricky executed a game plan might have got the win. Once again I only see John Murray beat Beltran in a war and pootential fight of the year.

Terence Crawford: The Ricky that beat Kevin Mitchell would have had a great chance of winning but the 2 previous fights really knocked Ricky's confidence and took away the determined part of his boxing. Terence definitely has World Class skill and I'm sure will go on to bigger things. Don't see any of the 3 mentioned beating him!!

Imo Ricky could still be able to compete at World level but if he gets thrown into another fight without the chance to build his confidence up then he could well get beat and there might be no coming back from that!!

I am also not saying that Crolla, Murray or Derry would beat Ricky but I don't think these fights would be as ridiculous as you make out Billy. Derry would be the weakest out of the 3. But when you look at a few of the names: Evenson, Lareya and Nicky Cook do you honestly believe they deserved their fights against Ricky?


I'm also not trying to wind you up and want Ricky to get back to the top because I don't see anyone at the minute to keep Scottish boxing on T.V, Ricky is also a gem of a guy and deserves to get the chance to challenge at world level again. I would just like you not to just mention the number of World Title fights as you defence but to actually let everybody see your reasoning why they did or did not deserve their shot and also how you feel the 3 mentioned would get on against them?