Ricky Burns ready to become ‘British sporting hero’ claims Frank Warren

WORLD champion Ricky Burns is on his way to becoming a “British sporting hero”, according to his promoter Frank Warren.

The 28-year-old fighter from Coatbridge will make the first defence of his WBO lightweight title against Paulus Moses at a sell-out Braehead Arena on Saturday night.

Warren believes Burns should already have hero status throughout the United Kingdom but claims he will make another step towards that with victory against the 33-year-old Namibian, who has an impressive record of 28 victories from 29 fights, 19 of them having come by knockout.

Speaking at the head-to-head press conference at the Braehead Arena, Warren said: “Ricky should be a British sporting hero. He might not have got the recognition he should have got, but a few more good performances and he will be up there with famous Scottish boxers like Ken Buchanan.

“It is sold out. You can’t do better than that and Ricky deserves that public support. I just wish we had a bigger arena.

“Ricky’s homecoming is appreciated by the fans who recognise this is a good fight.

“Ricky is a double world champion, he has worked hard at it and is going from strength to strength. But Paulus is not here to make up the numbers, Ricky will have to be at his best.

“He is against a guy with a formidable record and who is well respected. Having said that, you have got to make Ricky favourite.”