Ricky Burns, the former world lightweight champion, has vowed to begin a new and exciting phase of his career with an emphatic win over the unbeaten Montenegrin Dejan Zlaticanin at Braehead Arena on June 27.
The 31-year-old from Coatbridge was forced to relinquish his World Boxing Organization title to the American Terence Crawford in Glasgow in March, but he has since been reinvigorated by switching trainers to Essex-based Tony Sims. Burns is ready to write a new chapter in the history of Scottish boxing by becoming a three-time world champion.
A win over Zlaticanin would earn Burns the World Boxing Council international lightweight title and put him directly in line for a shot at the world crown. "I have a real spring in my step again. I felt after the Crawford fight it was time for a change and I have got a new lease of life working with Tony," said Burns.
"I work Monday to Friday in the gym and fly home for the weekend because it's tough being away from my wife and son. But that makes you work harder and gives you something to look forward to at the end of the week."
Burns has been sparring with the likes of his former rival Kevin Mitchell and the Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell. "There are some huge fights out there for me," the Scot added.
"My last 10 fights have been world title bouts and I am at home with the elite so I want to be back there. Although Zlaticanin is unbeaten and will have ambitions of his own, I want my next fight to be for a world title; I have to go out to earn that."
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