Mitchell lands Burns night

Ricky Burns will defend his WBO lightweight title against Kevin Mitchell in Glasgow on September 22.

A fight that has been in the making for several months, Burns v Mitchell is a domestic clash that will have British fans salivating.

"But this fight is the fight I've wanted and it's got me really excited, Mitchell's going to bring out the best in me."
Ricky Burns Quotes of the week

Popular Scot Burns vacated his super-featherweight title before stepping up to beat Michael Katsidis for the vacant strap in November, followed by an exemplary first defence against Paulus Moses earlier this year.

"The fight's been on the boil for the last couple of years and the fans and press have been desperate for it to happen, it's fantastic that it's on at last," Burns said.

"We are both at the top of our game now and I'm in this sport to prove that I'm the best, next to me Mitchell's the best around and it will be great fight between two warriors.

"He put on a great showing against John Murray last year that showed just how good a boxer he is to take apart another champion.

"But this fight is the fight I've wanted and it's got me really excited, Mitchell's going to bring out the best in me and I believe that the fans are going to be in for an unbelievable fight."

Promise

It was Katsidis who ended Mitchell's unbeaten record in 2010, when the Londoner was going through personal problems, but he put that behind him to stop Murray inside eight rounds on his belated return to the ring in the British fight of the year.

And Mitchell is expecting more of the same when he travels north of the border.

"I'm promising you now you're going to see the best fight of the year or any year," said the 27-year-old. "This is a real fight between the two best in the division and it's not going to be for the faint-hearted.

"I rate Burns very highly, he's a great fighter and has really proved himself as one of the top champions in the world. I'm going into the lion's den and I know I can beat him and take the world title.

"Burns is a top kid and I've got to be at top of my game, the fittest and strongest I've ever been in my life to win."

The fight venue has yet to be decided. Burns last fought at a packed Braehead Arena but the Coatbridge boxer has been keen to stage an open-air fight in a football stadium.