Ricky Burns: Greats have X factor, I've got X-Box

Ricky Burns admits he is "embarrassed" at being tipped to become Scotland's greatest boxer.

The WBO super-featherweight champion defends his title against Joseph Laryea at the Braehead Arena on Saturday night. If, as expected, the 27-year-old Coatbridge fighter comes out on top he has been promised a unification fight against South Africa's IBF belt holder Mzonke Fana some time in the summer.

According to Burns' trainer, Billy Nelson, victory in that fight would mean Burns will have proved himself better than Scottish ring legends like Benny Lynch, Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt. Scotland's current world champion though, is uncomfortable with being mentioned among such boxing greats.

"Other people have told me what Billy has said but I am always the last person to praise me," said Burns, speaking at Nelson's Fighting Scots gym on the outskirts of Glasgow. "I just get embarrassed by it all.

"I am getting used to the media attention, that doesn't bother me anymore. But when people are talking you up, I just feel myself cringing a bit sometimes. And when people praise you it puts that little bit pressure on you.

"I don't see it as a big deal. I see myself as a normal guy. I treat boxing like my job. Everyone knows what I am like. I like to keep myself to myself and do my talking in the ring."

Burns revealed his games console is helping him while away the hours until Saturday night when he makes the second defence of his title against the Ghanaian.

"When I get home after training, I take the dog for a walk and then usually get on the X-Box," he said. "I am addicted to it. I am on that more than I am in the gym. I go into hibernation eight to ten weeks before a fight. I don't see my pals much and I don't go out much. I am usually sleeping, training or on my X-Box. It keeps my mind occupied. But the countdown is on and, once the weigh-in is over, I can concentrate fully on the fight, so roll on Saturday night.

"The training has eased off in this last week. All the hard work is done, training now is light and fast. Even my runs are slow. No more sprinting.

"I am saving my body for Saturday night and I can't wait for the fight to take place."