Golden Boy Promotions interested in Ricky Burns?

By Boxing News - 03/08/2013 - Comments

burns02By Scott Gilfoid: Golden Boy Promotions has reportedly made a play to add WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns (35-2, 10 KO’s) to their stable. Golden Boy already promotes the popular but struggling UK fighter Amir Khan, and if they can add Burns to their stable it would be a big deal for them in theory.

Burns left his promoter Frank Warren this week after having two fights cancelled a third fight, a unification bout against IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez, postponed.

Golden Boy isn’t alone in trying to land the 29-year-old Burns to their promotional stable. There are two other promoters trying to get him Burns in the UK.

Whether Burns goes to Golden Boy or one of the UK promoters there still isn’t a whole lot that Burns can do at 135 in terms of big fights. It’s kind of a dull division and doesn’t get a lot of attention worldwide.

With WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner possibly moving up to 147 to face WBA champion Paulie Malignaggi, Burns may have to be content at just fighting the top guys at 135. However, if his manager Morrison chooses not to put Burns in against any risky opponents such as Miguel Vazquez and Richar Abril, then I can’t see any real benefit of Golden Boy Promotions looking to add Burns to their stable.

It’s not as if they’re going to put him in with Broner because that fight has already been turned down three times by Burns’ management, and doesn’t appear to be an option any longer due to Broner moving up to 147. If Golden Boy gets Burns, who wants to see Golden Boy putting Burns in with the likes of Kevin Mitchell again?

It’s a good move for Golden Boy to add Burns only if they’re free to match him against the best fighters at 135 and that includes Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Burns’ manager will have to agree to take Burns’ off of his leash if they want to make a partnership between him and Golden Boy work out. They can’t sign him and then be stuck only being able to match him against the most weak contenders in the lightweight division.

I really don’t see much benefit for Golden Boy in adding Burns to their stable. Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer even said it himself that he didn’t see Burns as being capable of beating Miguel Vazquez, and if he can’t beat Vazquez, then why add him to their stable? Burns is 29, and he’s not going to be the WBO strap holder for too much longer, especially if they put him in with Vazquez, Abril or Gamboa. Heck, even featherweight Gary Russell Jr. would likely beat Burns with ease if and when he moves up in weight. I think he could do it right now if he was interested in moving up a couple of divisions.



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