Ricky Burns enters last-chance saloon with no weight worries

Ricky Burns said weight just 'dropped off' him as he '¨prepared to fight Anthony Crolla this weekend in what will be the Scot's first bout in the lightweight division since since November 2015.
Ricky Burns in Manchester ahead of his fight againt Anthony Crolla. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesRicky Burns in Manchester ahead of his fight againt Anthony Crolla. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Ricky Burns in Manchester ahead of his fight againt Anthony Crolla. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

“I knew getting down to 
lightweight could have been hard but I’ve been on the diet with no cheating and the weight’s just seemed to drop off,” said the 34-year-old, who has held world titles in three weight divisions.

The former WBO lightweight champ added: “I’ve done it comfortably this time – I have more or less been hovering around the weight limit for the last 10 days, and I’m still feeling good, talking to people, smiling.

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“Tony [Sims, Burns’ trainer] knows when I put my mind to it I can do it, and I think he’s happy with the way I have done it this time.

“For other fights, my portion sizes have been too big and I would sneak chocolate bars, but we’ve cut all that out.”

It will be the Coatbridge boxer’s maiden Manchester fight and he added: “All the preparation has gone to plan. I’m confident of getting the win.”

Crolla will be wearing the Manchester bee with pride on what promises to be an emotional night.

The bout at Manchester Arena sees local boy Crolla return to action at the venue less than five months on from the terror attack there which killed 22 people.

The 30-year-old, who has had eight of his last nine fights at the arena, will have the city’s worker bee displayed on his shorts. It will also feature on his socks – the product of a collaboration between him and fightwear supplier Suzi Wong – pairs of which are being sold, with profits going towards supporting those affected by the 22 May tragedy.

The bee emblem has been widely adopted as a symbol for the city’s togetherness following the attack.

Crolla said: “I’ll be very proud to be wearing the Manchester bee It is going to be an emotional night for a lot of people, the first time back at the arena since that horrible night. There’s a lot of emotion involved, and I have to make sure it lifts me.”

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The contest has a last-chance saloon feel for the fighters in terms of potentially going on to compete for world titles again.

Crolla (31-6-3, 13 knockouts) has lost his last two fights, Jorge Linares claiming the WBA lightweight world title from him in September 2016 and winning a rematch in March. The following month saw Burns (41-6-1, 14 KOs) lose the WBA light-welterweight crown to Julius Indongo.

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