Ricky Burns v Josh King: Former champion Burns targeting world title shot
Monday 12 October 2015 17:41, UK
Former two-weight world champion Ricky Burns will make his return to the ring against Josh King for the vacant WBO inter-continental lightweight title on November 7, live on Sky Sports.
Burns (38- KO12-5-1), who has previously held the WBO titles at super-featherweight and lightweight, claimed a TKO victory over Ghanaian Prince Ofotsu last time out and will hope to take a step towards reclaiming his old belt with a win against King at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
The Scot's victory over Ofotsu in August followed on from his rousing display in Texas against American Omar Figueroa in May, when he suffered a unanimous points decision defeat.
King (20-KO9-3) is ranked number 10 by the WBO and will provide Burns with a tough test having not lost since 2011, when he suffered a knockout defeat to Jack Asis.
The Australian, 30, is also the reigning WBO Oriental and Asia Pacific champion and will hope to claim the biggest scalp of his career to lay his own claim for a world title shot.
But Burns, 32, says he is intent on making sure that is not the case and hopes to put himself back in contention for a title shot.
"This is my first championship fight at 135lbs since June 2014 and I can't wait to put myself back in contention for a world title," Burns said.
"The Figueroa fight was tough at 141lbs but I feel like I boxed well and I think it's given me plenty of confidence going into this one. It's a great time for the division in Britain and I'm right in the mix.
"Obviously I'd like to win my old belt back and this fight will give me a great ranking with the WBO, but I would fight anyone in the country or the world and I'm excited to be in a great fight on November 7."
