New champion Ricky Burns eyes all-Scots showdown against Paul Appleby

Can't see this fight happening at all in the short term, maybe a while down the lines but Burns will be looking for bigger names just now, not slating Appleby but he needs a bit more time at this level before going toe to toe with the likes of Burns.

 

Spot on mate but at least we already know Paul has plenty of talent and Warren is the man to get the best from him

 

Billy, I was at Lochend Gym when Paul sparred with Ricky and have to say we must have been watching different sparring sessions. Yes, Ricky bested Paul, certainly in the last two rounds of the first 4 they did and for the 4 after that. But what you conveniently forget is that Paul had only been training seriously for three weeks, was nowhere near as fit as Ricky, and was battling a chest infection. The reason he never came through to spar with Ricky in Glasgow is because his infection got worse and he was on antibiotics. Anybody who knows Paul Appleby knows he never ducks anybody. The man's been out 18 months and is only just coming back. A fit Appleby would more than give Ricky a run for his money.

You also forget to mention that after Paul finished sparring with Ricky, John Thain, who just had his second pro fight on Sat on Ricky's undercard, came in and jabbed Ricky's head off for two rounds. In fact, Ricky was heard saying in the corner after the first round 'what am I supposed to do with him?'

Take nothing away from Ricky, he put in an epic performance against Martinez. But you do your fighter a great disservice by coming on these forums and slating other fighters.

 

A fight between Paul Appleby and Ricky Burns would guarantee a full house at any venue in Scotland. Both have exciting, aggressive styles and it would be a war. Paul could do with a couple more fights before taking a fight against Ricky, as he's been out for so long. But I know him and his trainer, Terry McCormack, would take the fight in a heartbeat. Personally, I think Paul would have the beating of Ricky Burns. Ricky has a great jab and a very effective inside uppercut. Both could be nullified. I know that Terry McCormack, Paul's trainer, has been working on precisely that recently, as well as working on Paul's defence and head movement.

 

Just to reiterate, the reason Paul Appleby did not travel to Glasgow to spar with Ricky Burns is not because he didn't have transport. It's because, as I said, he was battling a chest infection and had to go to the doctor to get antibiotics. In the first two sessions they sparred in Edinburgh, Paul was clearly not himself. He wasn't fit and could hardly breathe due to the infection. This is fact. I know because I'm a member of Lochend Gym. Ricky was superfit and fights at a ferocious pace and everybody at Lochend was impressed by him. If I were him or his trainer though, I wouldn't be so dismissive of Paul Appleby. He's got his hunger back and is intent on doing some damage. There's nobody in his division who goes to the body like he does. Nobody.

 

apps1 said he didn't have transport. Isn't she his mother?

 

Just one of Rafa's contributions to our language.

 

Yes well we must have been watching a different spar mate,i tell you what someone in the gym recorded it put it on you tube and everyone can decide.Paul called of twice for sparring the night before imo given that Rickys preparing for a world title thats not giving anyone time to get alternative sparring in not once but twice.Im reading in the Edinburgh evening news Pauls going down to Featherweight again and decided he doesn't want to fight Ricky? atsch

 

With regads to big john jabbing rickys head off yes your right ha ha

 

You'll get no argument from me on Ricky's sparring session with Paul. As I already said, Ricky definitely came out on top. Even Paul would admit that. But Paul had only been back 3 weeks and did have a chest infection, which subsequently required antibiotics. This may sound like an excuse. I assure you it's not. As for Ricky being left without alternative sparring, that was unforunate, and I'm sure Paul and his trainer felt bad about that.

It's also a fact, Billy, that Ricky couldn't cope with John Thain when he came in for two rounds. There's no shame in that. Ricky had already put some hard rounds in and John Thain is no joke.

You should be celebrating a great victory on Saturday night instead of engaging on forums like these, Billy. Ricky Burns was immense and you get great credit for getting him into the shape of his life. You're now the trainer of a world champion. Enough said.

Be good if you could give props to Lochend as well though. We had three guys fighting on Sat night and all three came through impressively. This can only be good for Scottish boxing.

 

The truth is ricky couldn't motivate himself for big john,ricky only sparred him as a favour not coz he planned to,please be real mate burns is an experienced pro sparring a 1 fight novice pro do you think id let ricky open up on john and dent his confidence?Im happy for terry his lads won and should all be on the undercard come december which can only be good.:good

 

Paul did have a chest infection that took weeks to clear eventually requiring antibiotics , but the first time he was ment to be sparrin he couldnt as his dads car was in the garage getting work done and just put it down to that being the reason for not going through , he couldnt get transport as i knew he sparred with ricky at the gym whilst unwell sorry my mistake , i didnt want to make excuses for anyone so didnt think about mentioning he was unwell SORRY !!!