By Scott Gilfoid: WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns (35-2, 10 KO’s) needs to stay far away from unbeaten lightweight contender Adrien Broner (24-0, 20 KO’s) if he knows what’s good for him. Beating an undersized Kevin Mitchell is one thing for Burns, but trying to defeat someone his own weight and much faster, stronger and better defensively in Broner would be a recipe for disaster for Burns.
This reason this is even being discussed is because Burns says he’s interested in unifying the lightweight titles now. Broner, 23, doesn’t have a title now but he’s about to after he faces WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco on November 17th. I like DeMarco’s skills and all, but he’s going to lose badly to Broner in this fight. Burns will then be staring at Broner in looking to unify the titles. I wish Burns luck because he’ll need a lot against Broner.
First off, I don’t see Burns ever being allowed to fight Broner by his promoter. I think Burns will be gently steered away from Broner for the remainder of his career in order to try and keep Burns winning as long as he can. I’m sure that Broner’s name will come up every once in a while from Burns, but I don’t see him ever actually getting in the ring with him to fight. That would likely be disastrous for Burns if he were to do that.
Broner’s speed, power and overall skill advantage over Burns would be way too much for the Scottish to deal with. I don’t care how often Burns clinches or puts Broner in arm bars or throws looping shots that possibly hit Broner in the back of the head, Burns will still lose badly to Broner. It’s about talent and Broner has a huge edge in that area compared to Burns.
I just see Burns as a guy that gets over based on being bigger than his opponents. We saw that tonight in how much bigger Burns was compared to Kevin Mitchell. However, that size advantage will disappear if Burns decides to fight Broner, because both fighters will come into the ring roughly the same size and it’ll come down to whoever the more talented fighter is between them. I hate to say it but that fighter is Broner. Burns is too limited and will get royally whipped by Broner.
Like I said, don’t hold your breath waiting for Burns to fight Broner because it’s probably never going to happen. Broner is just too good and Burns would be in a world of hurt if he faced him.
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