Ricky Burns to defend WBO crown against Nicky Cook

Ricky Burns will make the third defence of his WBO Super-Featherweight title against former champion Nicky Cook, who beat Alex Arthur to win the belt.

The pair will clash on Saturday 16 July at the Liverpool Echo Arena and Coatbridge fighter Burns is determined to stop his English rival.

Burns said: "I've not had a defence against a domestic opponent, so I am relishing this one

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"Nicky has always been a fighter I have admired over the years and he's a good fighter, and he we will be really up for getting his old title back on the night.

"But I will raise my game and deliver my first stoppage win as a champion. There's always something special in the air when England and Scotland clash, and this fight will be no different.

"Nicky wants his title back, but even if he produces the performance of a life-time, he won't beat me."

Cook returned to action after a long injury lay off at the O2 Arena at the weekend, beating Youssef Al Hamidi on points.

He lost the WBO belt to Roman Martinez - who Burns beat in a thrilling battle last September to claim the title - more than two years ago.

The Dagenham boxer said: "I'm still hurting from that night. The only way to heal the pain is to beat Ricky Burns. I felt I had the better of Martinez but I got sloppy and I got punished. But I won't make the same mistake again.

"I'm going in their all guns blazing to win back my old belt. I beat a Scotsman in Alex Arthur to win the title, and I'll beat another one to get it back."

Burns and Cook will meet face to face next Wednesday at a press conference in Liverpool.

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