SCOTLAND'S Ricky Burns delivered a career-best performance to defeat Michael Katsidis via a unanimous points decision and claim the WBO Interim lightweight title last night.
With Juan Manuel Marquez, the holder of the full WBO lightweight title, facing Manny Pacquiao at welterweight next weekend, Burns effectively has assumed the mantle of world title holder.
Given the exalted company Katsidis has mixed with, this had promised to be the stiffest challenge of Burns’ career, however, there were question marks over how much a series of heavy defeats had taken out of his opponent.
Burns laser-guided left jab controlled the first three rounds as he kept the Australian at bay. Then, in the fourth round, a jolting right cut Katsidis above his left eye.
Katsidis staged a mid fight rally but Burns soon re-imposed himself and by the ninth round the snap had left Katsidis work.
With Burns retaining his discipline and his focus, he comfortably saw out a famous night for Scottish boxing.
Burns claims world title
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