Burns confirmed as champion
WBO install Scot after Marquez announces move up
Last Updated: January 26, 2012 3:32pm
-
9
Ricky Burns: Officially installed as champion
Ricky Burns has been confirmed as WBO lightweight champion after Juan Manuel Marquez moved up to welterweight.
The Scot won the interim belt when he beat Michael Katsidis in November and has now been officially installed champion ahead of his first defence against Paulus Moses on March 10.
"When I beat Katsidis I felt like a world champion anyway, but this makes it all real and I'm thrilled with the news that I'm now the official full world champion," said the 28-year-old.
"It's a great feeling, but now it's back to reality and training hard for what will be a tough title defence against Moses in my Scottish homecoming on March 10.
"For the last 10 years I've been grafting away in my career, but in the last couple of years it has really taken off with me beating Martinez and then beating a great warrior like Katsidis to put me up with the best in the world."
The news means Britain now has two world champions, with Burns joining WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly among the elite.
"Nathan's a great fighter and Britain has now got two world champions to be proud of who can fly the flag on the world stage." added Burns.
