Nelson, Arthur, Gomez, Selby, Moore, Coldwell & Davies discuss
Friday 7 October 2016 21:12, UK
Ricky Burns has followed in some of boxing's most famous footsteps by being crowned a three-weight world champion. 'Rickster' has joined Bob Fitzsimmons and Duke McKenzie as the only Brits to do it, so does he get enough credit? We asked The Panel, past and present, what they think...
It is unbelievable how far Ricky Burns has gone. Back in 2007 I watched him against Carl Johanneson who put him down before beating him on points, but since then he's just got stronger and stronger and I never thought he was going to be half the fighter he's become.
I know Craig Docherty and Willie Limond and they have told me you will never see a more dedicated fighter than Ricky. He deserves everything he gets. He was my last fight and I am a couch potato these days so I will be supporting him from my home and I wish him all the best.
No way. He will get the proper credit in about 50 years but right now, no. That's it. Ricky is a bit like Ant Crolla: he was losing domestic fights back in the day, then stepped up to the British and when he went beyond that, we all thought he would lose sooner rather than later. But as soon as they were both in that world level they upped their game.
Ricky's just not getting the recognition he deserves for those achievements. We are talking about a world champion six years ago and a guy who went on to win at two more weights. If the Adrien Broner fight does come about, not many people will expect him to beat him, but did anyone expect Ricky Burns to become a three-weight world champion? If I am honest I think he has over-achieved, so it shows even I'm not giving him enough credit!
It is amazing. Absolute amazing. I always thought it was something I could do with my frame but looking back, I wish I'd have done it much earlier. Even as far back as when I fought Ricky, I had to lose 10lbs the night before! That's far from easy but moving up in weight so smoothly is one thing, but winning another world title and another one, is unbelievable.
He will go down in the history books and will never be forgotten for that. When he moved up the first time and then lost to Terence Crawford, he was back down the pecking order, doing eight-rounders, after being a two-weight world champion. For Ricky to come back from that is remarkable. What a story.
Well the one thing that doesn't get credit is the mentality of the man. He rode through some really tough times both in and out of the ring, yet still came out the other side. Even when he was a world champion, he was still going back to work in the sports shop, which showed he doesn't take anything for granted.
But do I think people take Ricky Burns for granted, simply because he is so unassuming. Maybe people will look back and realise what he has achieved. The one thing Ricky doesn't do is take his eye off the ball and that's got him where he is today.
He doesn't get anywhere near enough credit. To be a world champion you've got to be a great fighter, to be a two-weight world champion you've got to be exceptional but to be a three-weight world champion, you've got to be an elite fighter.
It doesn't matter how good he looks or who he's beat, Ricky Burns is one of them. People can say all they want but it is no fluke doing what he's doing. I helped him get ready for the Terence Crawford fight, which was tough, but I wasn't a world champion then, so watching how Ricky prepared was great.
Probably not. The reason he isn't spoken about as highly as he should be is because his style isn't too fan-friendly. Ricky's performances are really good: he has a good style, his jab is brilliant and he gets the job done. But it is usually the same sort of performance.
I actually like watching him and always have - ever since he lost to Carl Johanneson - but there aren't that many fights where he has looked explosive, apart from the Kevin Mitchell one. It means his achievements don't get recognised. But they will.
I don't think he does at all. Hopefully after this fight, if he fights Adrien Broner before the end of the year and beats him, he will get the recognition he deserves.
I have seen him work harder and harder each camp. He has pushed himself and dedicated his whole life to boxing. I have no doubt he will get further than he already is now, especially if he gets a fight with Broner.
Watch Ricky Burns v Kirlyl Relikh and the undercard live from Glasgow, from 8.00pm, Friday, on Sky Sports 2.
