Ricky Burns insists he's fighting Nicky Cook for love not money

Ricky Burns insists his boxing career is driven by the love of the sport rather than a craving for the limelight.

The Scot took his time to reach the top and, at 28, he will make the third defence of his WBO World super-featherweight title against Nicky Cook at the Liverpool Echo Arena on 16 July.

Burns' training camp in Stepps, near Glasgow, was packed yesterday after the media were invited to see him work out but the Coatbridge fighter claims he has no real desire for the attention that comes with being a world champion.

"I do it because I need to," he said. "I am getting used to it a bit more but being in the limelight doesn't bother me.

"Whether I had to do this or just turn up and go in the ring, I would be happy either way. I am happy being anonymous. I like to keep myself to myself and I don't think I will ever change.

"In the ring, that's where I am at my happiest. Boxing is all I have wanted to do. I just love boxing and I belong in the ring.

"I have been boxing since I was 12 so I feel as if I have been fighting for ever.

"I do it for the love of the sport. Obviously everything that comes with it as a bonus."

Burns' first professional bout was a decade ago but he insists there are plenty of rounds left in him yet, even if they are likely to be at a heavier weight.

"I am 28 but everyone says I am immature and I should grow up a bit," he joked.

"So there is better to come from me.

"There has been talk of me moving up a weight but, for now, I am more than happy to stay at super-featherweight.

"But, again, if a big fight came up at lightweight, who knows what would happen."

It was originally thought that Burns would fight in Scotland this summer but the champion has no qualms about taking on an Englishman in Liverpool, albeit Cook is originally from Dagenham, Essex.

"A boxing ring is a boxing ring," said Burns. "I have travelled throughout my career and it doesn't bother me.

"They are looking to raising my profile and I am happy with that.

"Cook did box a few weeks ago but he was inactive for 18 months and who knows if that will take its toll but we will find out in four weeks.

"Everyone knows I give 100 oer cent in every fight so we will have to see if he can last the pace."

Cook himself stepped up a weight from featherweight to win the super-featherweight belt from Edinburgh's Alex Arthur in 2009, but later lost the title to Puerto Rican Roman Martinez - the man Burns beat to become champion during the period Cook was taking two years out of the ring to regroup at his new gym in Tenerife.Burns, who knows all about Cook's capabilities from his successful encounter with Arthur, said he expects to see the best of the Englishman when he steps into the ring with him - but is still confident of beating him and sending him closer to retirement.

"I believe that Nicky will be at the top of his game," said Burns. "He will have got rid of his ring rust with his win in his last fight, and he'll be coming up to Liverpool full of belief. But I will knock him out whatever shape he is in. That's a promise. Cook is not good enough to live with me and I will break his heart.

"In fact, I think he will quit boxing after he has lost to me. You can't afford to take breaks in this sport, and he is going to pay dearly for the time he has spent out of the ring.

"I'm younger, fresher and fitter and I will take him out on July 16."

Burns has been sparring with compatriot Paul Appleby and trainer Billy Nelson believes it has only added a new edge to Burns. "These two go at it every single day," Nelson told Frank Warren TV. "It's like they are having a world title fight when they spar, and that means Ricky will in peak condition when it comes to fighting Cook."