ONE of the worst-kept secrets in boxing became public knowledge yesterday when Liam Walsh, the European title-holder from Norfolk, was confirmed as the next opponent for Scotland's world champion Ricky Burns.
Walsh, first flagged up as a probable opponent by Herald Sport a month ago, will challenge Burns for his World Boxing Organisation lightweight crown at the ExCel Arena in London on December 15.
The Frank Warren bill will also feature the Commonwealth super-middleweight champion George Groves against Glen Johnson and Billy Joe Saunders, holder of the lightweight version of the belt, against Nick Blackwell.
The bout represents a second Battle of Britain in the space of three months after Burns disposed of the Londoner Kevin Mitchell inside four rounds at the SECC, Glasgow, just more than four weeks ago.
Burns will again be a firm favourite to prevail in his eighth world title contest, but Walsh is adamant he will end his Coatbridge rival's reign. "This is my dream fight and I am going to cause a big upset," he said. "Ricky is a great champion, but after studying him, I know I've got the tools to beat him.
"He did a stunning job on Mitchell and is in the prime of his career, so when I win people will know I've beaten the best."
Burns responded: "I will be in the best shape possible and leave nothing to chance, because Walsh is a strong fighter. I was at ringside when he fought Paul Appleby and he had to show tremendous heart to come through; he was in deep trouble after Paul dropped him in the seventh round."
He added: "The big motivation is a possible unification fight with Adrien Broner, whom I was accused of avoiding last year when I was super-featherweight champion."
Walsh is undefeated in 13 fights and has stopped 10 of his opponents, including Appleby, from South Queensferry, when their Commonwealth super-featherweight bout 14 months ago was voted Fight of the Year.
Meanwhile, the winner of the Burns-Walsh fight is expected to face either Broner or the Mexican Antonio DeMarco, who is scheduled to defend his WBC belt against the American in Atlantic City next month.
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