Ricky Burns vows to fight on after Beltran draw

Ricky Burns in action against Raymundo Beltran in Glasgow. Picture: Robert Perry

Burns suffered a clean break in the second round at the SECC in Glasgow and, despite being on the back foot for much of the night and knocked to the canvas in the eighth round, the 30-year-old from Coatbridge retained his belt when the judges awarded a draw.

Last night Burns, who had titanium plates inserted in his jaw on Sunday, used his Twitter account to thank his supporters, while also stressing that he hopes to return to full fitness and take on Beltran again in the near future.

He tweeted: “Thanks every1 for the messages, fingers crossed the damage isn’t too bad and we can get the rematch on the go!!”

At the weekend, Burns’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, had claimed that the WBO lightweight champion faced a battle to recover sufficiently to box again. But yesterday Hearn revealed a picture of the boxer in a tweet which read: “Just spoke to @ricksterko – back home today. Sore but in good spirits – next few weeks are vital, fingers crossed.”

Burns’ manager Alex Morrison, meanwhile, reiterated his belief that the fighter will be back in the ring. “Ricky is a bit sore but there is no doubt he will fight on,” said Morrison “He will see the medical people in about two weeks and it’s expected to take around six weeks for him to recover.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he was back in the gym next Monday to keep himself in shape. He is keen for a rematch but Beltran and his camp are in no position to pick and choose, so any rematch would be in Glasgow.”

Morrison believes that Burns owes Beltran another shot at the title. “It’s the moral thing to do,” he added. “Ricky wants to fight him again here in Scotland in front of another packed crowd.”