Ricky Burns sharp, say gym-mates Ohara Davies and Conor Benn
Thursday 26 May 2016 07:46, UK
Ricky Burns said emerging talents Ohara Davies and Conor Benn have been 'trying to take his head off' in sparring.
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Scotland's Burns (39-5-1-KO13) is looking to become a three-weight world champion on Saturday night when he takes on Michele Di Rocco in Glasgow - live on Sky Sports 1 - and English lightweight champion Davies (11-0-KO9) and Benn, who fights on the undercard, have been key contributors to his preparation.
Davies, 24, told Sky Sports: "Our spars are always good. When I started sparring with Ricky, I had only just got back into camp so I was just doing four rounds, which makes it a lot easier.
We tried to make Ricky pay in sparring. Me, Ohara and our trainer Tony Sims all had a little sit-down chat.
"In those four rounds, I do everything I can and then I'm out and Conor Benn jumps in. Because it's only four rounds, he wants to get that work in so I did my best to give him a really intense four rounds. Conor is also good in sparring. He's young, hungry and hopefully we are two future world champions.
"Ricky is looking good and he's looking fit. His weight is already good because he's not fighting at lightweight anymore. Making weight for him for this fight is going to be so much easier.
"I've not seen the other guy box but on paper, he doesn't look like anything Ricky can't handle. Ricky's been in big fights in the past and all that."
Benn, who at 19 years old makes his second professional appearance against Luke Keleher, said of the sessions: "My last two sessions with Rick have been eight and 10 rounds straight. He looks quality. I got hurt quite a few times!
"We tried to make Ricky pay in sparring. Me, Ohara and our trainer Tony Sims all had a little sit-down chat and asked each other: How are we going to make Ricky pay?
"Everyone knows he's a strong, tough fighter and if you fight him then you know you're in for a long, tough night. He's humble outside the ring and then gets in the ring and does what he's got to do."
Watch Burns v Di Rocco and Benn v Keleher live on Saturday, 8pm then Tony Bellew v Ilunga Makabu on Sunday from 6.30pm - both on Sky Sports 1.
