Ashley Theophane targets Ricky Burns bout
Tuesday 31 May 2016 16:10, UK
Ashley Theophane is keen to challenge former sparring partner Ricky Burns for the WBA world super-lightweight title.
Burns (40-5-1-KO14) made history in Glasgow on Saturday night when he stopped Michele Di Rocco to become a three-weight world champion and reiterated in a post-fight interview he is prepared to "fight anyone."
Theophane (39-7-1-KO11) lost his bid to relieve the controversial Adrien Broner of the title in April but after the American was stripped for failing to make weight for that fight, is hoping to take on the belt's new owner later this year.
The Paddington-born fighter, who is part of Floyd Mayweather's 'Money Team' based in Las Vegas, told Sky Sports: "The only fight in the UK that interests me is Ricky Burns, because it would be a world title fight.
"I haven't watched the fight [against Di Rocco] but I saw him fight Omar Figueroa in the States.
"I also watched him fight Kevin Mitchell [in 2012] because I was sparring with him to help him get ready for that fight. I always liked Ricky. He's a good fighter and he's never been scared to fight the best and test himself.
"I was up in Scotland for two weeks. The sparring was very good. It was back and forth. There were days that he did better and days that I did better. I know I can beat him and I know he'd think he can beat me.
I definitely have the tools to beat him but it's about doing it on the day. It's all good doing it in sparring but it's about doing it when it counts.
"I definitely have the tools to beat him but it's about doing it on the day. It's all good doing it in sparring but it's about doing it when it counts. Me and Ricky would be a good British fight. We'll have to see what they want to do.
"He's the only Scottish man to win world titles in three different weight divisions and that's a testament in itself. It's a great achievement. He's done well and he's my weight division so it's obvious I'd want to fight the champions.
"I just fought for that same belt he won when I lost to Adrien so it's a fight that the fans seem to want. A lot of British fans have been telling me they'd like that fight. I know Eddie Hearn mentioned it before so it's a fight Matchroom have on their mind as well.
"I'm hoping my next fight will be on the undercard of James DeGale v Badou Jack in Las Vegas in September. I'm just staying in shape at the All Stars Boxing Gym until I get the actual date.
"I know Floyd wants to do a show in the UK and that Leonard Ellerbe has spoken to Eddie Hearn. It'd be good to fight back in the UK. After my next fight, Ricky Burns would be the fight I'd want. It'd be an easy one to make."
Theophane is a former British super-lightweight champion and took current WBC welterweight king Danny Garcia the distance in 2010.
