One Scot Proud of Another: A Closer Look At Ricky Burns

By Donald “Braveheart” Stewart

About 6 years ago I filed a report at Ringside Report about which I was particularly proud. It was a report on the latest world title being held by the fighter from the small town of Coatbridge in Scotland, Ricky Burns 40-5-1, 14 KO’s. I had headed it “Burns Night” as a play on his name and the annual festival which celebrates the poet born in my own home town; Robert Burns.

I was pleased because I thought nobody else would have made that connection. Since then and until now there have been many Burns Nights. In fact, there were many before them but I was too pleased with myself to notice them.

And another Burns Night is but a few hours away. Ricky goes into the ring on the 7th October 2016 as a unique specimen. He is the only Scottish boxer to hold a world title in 3 different weight divisions. In the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, he is only the 3rd. How come, therefore is it possible that, this guy is not as lauded or as feted as the likes of Brook or Khan or Joshua? Is it a matter of time or hype?

Before we look at why we don’t see his name in lights as often as we ought – is he actually worth promoting? I mean 3 weights but is it simply a case of being lucky?

Firstly, Burns is an accomplished athlete. He is one of the biggest and best trainers in any gym he trains in. People speak in hushed tones when they talk of his training, such is his dedication. He goes the extra mile and then asks if there is more road for him to travel.

Next he is a boxer. He does not have a big KO nor stoppage rate. Burns will get ya! Slowly though. He wears people down because that excessive stamina makes him a dangerous fighter in the 11th when he was a dangerous fighter in the 2nd. His gears are there and used to great effect.
Third he is the embodiment of humility. This is a guy who was world champion but still kept his job on as a salesman in a sportswear store. Now that is a distant memory but at the time you could sneak in and get your sneakers fitted by a genuine world champ!

This makes him less mouthy and noticeable, more attractive to purists than large crowds baying for excitement and simply boring to big media outlets trading on the back stories and trash talking of their fighters. Of course he is far from boring if you are a boxing fan but in the UK, he is not as recognized as the Brooks, the Smith brothers, the Joshuas…

His story though is a fascinating one.

Born into a tough neighbourhood he boxed his way to British title shots and lost. People thought he was OK as a domestic fighter but that was him. Like Crolla he was gathering a few negatives on his record and people were quick to dismiss him. Burns though is more of a scholar than you think and like Ali, he knew it was not how many times you got knocked out; it was how you got yourself back on your feet and carried on that mattered.

A dispute with his one time promoter Frank Warren, added to those woes. Once he had got to the dizzy heights of world champion and then lost it, he ended up in court. Burns won a bit and Warren won a bit but what then happened was that the cost of it all led Ricky to declare himself bankrupt. It appears that Warren managed to avoid paying out what he owed and Ricky ended up paying the price with his future.

During this time, he fought Terence Crawford 29-0, 20 KO’s and lost, which followed a disreputable draw with Raymondo Beltran 37-7-1, 19 KO’s and saw his Scottish fans lose faith with him as he could not find the winning formula.

Changing gyms and trainers did not bring immediate dividends but eventually he found his way back. The comeback kid was magnificent as he used that heartfelt dedication, undisputed boxing ability and quiet, unassuming confidence to get in a ring and win a third weight world title.
He now heads a bill, back in Glasgow, where he will face a mandatory challenger who wants his belt. Burns shall get through this, of that I have little doubt. Next he is coming Stateside after a mouthy man of disputed ability in Adrian Broner 32-2-0, 24 KO’s.

We cannot wait but shall have to as Burns will have to take care of business here in Glasgow first. Then you can see one of our greatest ever boxers fight in the USA again. Last time he lost, this time he won’t.

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