Friday 27 June 2014 07:19, UK
Ricky Burns has weighed in just inside the 9st 9lb limit for his WBC lightweight eliminator fight against Dejan Zlaticanin on tonight in Glasgow.
Burns topped the scales at 9st 8lb 12oz with his Montenegrin opponent almost a pound lighter at 9st 7lb 14oz.
Speaking to Sky Sports News following the weigh-in, Burns said: “I’m feeling good – I just can’t wait to get through the ropes now.
“It’s going to be a tough fight but I’ve trained hard and prepared for whatever’s going to happen.
“I haven’t seen much footage of him but we’ve got to give him the respect he deserves – he’s undefeated with loads of knockouts on his record – he can bang a bit!
“Tony (Sims) my trainer has been watching him a lot and we’ve been working on a few things in the gym but we’re just going to go out there a round at a time and try and put into action what we’ve been working on – and hopefully I can get the win.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn has stressed that Burns can become a World champion again this year, but is in no doubt as to the gravity of the fight tomorrow night.
“It's a must-win night for Ricky, no two ways about it,” said Hearn. “I think Ricky has plenty left to offer but a defeat would certainly be the end of his World title ambitions, but I am not expecting that, I think we're going to see a great Ricky Burns tomorrow. People are going to be coming to the fight or tuning in on Sky Sports wondering whether we have seen the best of Ricky – tomorrow we'll find out.
“I would like him to have another fight before a World title after tomorrow but you never know what is going to happen. With Ricky, you know he can pack out a 10,000-plus Arena in Glasgow so you can bring the champions over, so while I would like to get him into a mandatory position, Ricky has a powerful pull as a voluntary challenger.”
There were ugly scenes during the weigh in for one of the fights on the undercard between Wadi Camacho and Stephen Simmonds.
The pair – who have been involved in a bitter war of words in the run-up to the fight, clashed again and had to be separated by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Ricky Burns v Dejan Zlaticanin, which also features the British and Commonwealth light-welterweight titles fight between Curtis Woodhouse v Willie Limond is live on Sky Sports 3HD on Friday from 8pm.
