Frank Warren backs Ricky Burns to be greatest Scots boxer of modern era

British boxing's most prolific promoter was in Glasgow yesterday to announce Burns' second defence of the WBO super-featherweight title against Joseph Laryea, of Ghana, at the Braehead Arena on 12 March.

Burns is the third Scot to have been guided to a world title by Warren, who previously oversaw Harrison's reign as WBO featherweight champion and Arthur's brief possession of the belt now held by the 27-year-old from Coatbridge.

Harrison's career imploded as a consequence of his alcohol-fuelled problems outside the ring, while Warren feels Arthur, currently on the comeback trail as a lightweight, has been hampered by his constant changes of training camp.

"What I like in any fighter's career is stability," said Warren. "Ricky has it. He doesn't swap trainers and he's not on the booze, doing things he shouldn't be doing. Alex did exceptionally well, but I don't like it when guys keep chopping and changing trainers. It's not good for them and I really don't believe in it. But that was what Alex wanted to do.

"With Scott, it was just a shame, because he could have been a great fighter. He just never had the discipline or, at the end of the day, the temperament to achieve what he could have done. But Ricky has got stability. He's got a good team behind him, led by trainer Billy Nelson. You only have to look at Ricky to see he could fight next week if he had to, because he always keeps himself in good condition. He is clean living and you can't ask for more than that. For any young boxer who turns professional, Ricky is someone they should look at and aspire to emulate.

"He is a consummate professional. He has improved in each fight over the last couple of years. Now he can really make his stamp worldwide in 2011, improve his status and his credibility in boxing."

Burns' stunning upset win over previously unbeaten Puerto Rican Roman Martinez to claim the WBO title at the Kelvin Hall last September raised his profile enormously, and he followed it up with a comprehensive victory over Andreas Evensen in his first defence in December.

Warren has bigger plans in the pipeline for Burns, notably a potential summer stadium show in Glasgow which could see him face IBF champion and Ring Magazine world No 1, Mzonke Fana of South Africa, in a lucrative unification contest.

But Warren warned there can be no complacency about the forthcoming fight against Laryea, the 25-year-old from Accra, who upset plans for an all-Scottish showdown between Burns and Paul Appleby when he defeated the South Queensferry man at Braehead last month."I'd like to do something at one of the big stadiums in Glasgow this summer, but it hinges on Ricky coming through this fight okay," added Warren. "I don't care which stadium it happens at, as long as we can fill it. We have to come up with the event to make it happen.

"He is on the cusp of crossing over to being widely recognised by the general public, going from becoming just a boxer to becoming a major sporting figure. If he can take that next step, it translates into ticket sales. It may be a unification contest, Fana is a possibility, or just a sexy match. I'm looking at a couple which would capture the imagination.

"For now, I don't want to look beyond 12 March. I don't want Ricky to do what Paul Appleby did, which was think one fight ahead of himself. Paul thought he was going to be here today, being announced as Ricky's next challenger, and I think he underestimated Laryea as a result."

Burns and his trainer, Nelson, have already discussed the tactics they believe will ensure the champion does not suffer the same fate as Appleby against the tall and powerful African.

"Paul let Joseph boss him from the middle of the ring," said Burns. "This will be one of the few times I've fought someone taller than me and I can't afford to let him dictate the fight.

"I'll take the possibility of a big unification fight outdoors this year as an inspiration and incentive, but I have to get past Joseph first. I won't be underestimating him. It will be a hard fight, but I believe I'll have a bit too much for him on the night."

Laryea was not present at yesterday's media conference but did e-mail a colourful message to Warren's press officer, Richard Maynard, which he happily distributed to reporters.

To Burns' bewilderment, Laryea claimed the champion had showed him "disrespect" when he fought on last month's Braehead bill and warned he "will gut him like a pig" if he does not apologise before the fight.

"If he's been mouthing off, that's up to him," smiled Burns. "I've nothing to apologise for. It's not my style to bad-mouth or disrespect anyone."The 12 March show is the first of at least four major bills Warren intends to stage in Scotland this year and will see Edinburgh's 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Stephen Simmons, make his professional debut at cruiserweight on the undercard.