Friday 15 June 2018 17:01, UK
Ricky Burns says he has plenty more great nights in the tank as he prepares to lace up the gloves for the 50th time in the professional game.
It has been a tremendous career, so far, for the Scottish hero who will reach the half-century milestone this Saturday at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, on a card headed by local favourites Josh Kelly and Lewis Ritson, to be shown live on Sky Sports.
Burns' career, which has spanned over 17 years, has seen 'Rickster' become a three-weight world champion and regularly spearhead memorable nights in front of his adoring Scottish fans, including wins over Roman Martinez, Kevin Mitchell and Michelle Di Rocco among others.
The Ricky Burns story is not finished just yet. I've got no regrets in my career, I've lived it. I'm proud to say I'm a three weight World Champion and still think there's a couple of big fights in me.
Despite back-to-back defeats to former world champions Julius Indongo and Anthony Crolla most recently, Burns, at 35-years-old, is confident he still has more to give as he prepares to head into his second half-century in style.
"The Ricky Burns story is not finished just yet," said Burns. "I've got no regrets in my career, I've lived it.
"I'm proud to say I'm a three-weight world champion and still think there's a couple of big fights in me.
"That being said, I have a job to do on Saturday night for those opportunities to come to fruition. I've never boxed in Newcastle before so am looking forward to the atmosphere.
"I'd love to get the Crolla rematch. I've watched our first fight back a couple of times and I think it was a draw in all honesty. Whether it can be made or not is another matter. He needs to get his finger out."
Burns, who previously reigned at super-featherweight and lightweight, made history in 2016 by becoming Scotland's first three-weight world champion as he stopped Di Rocco for the WBA super-lightweight title in Glasgow.
"We made history with the Di Rocco win," Burns continued, "That was a proud moment. I wasn't to be denied on that night.
"People were writing me off, saying I should retire but again I showed people otherwise. I think he was struggling at the weight to be honest and I got to him eventually.
"The scenes that followed will stay with me for a while and it was a proud moment."
Lewis Ritson against Paul Hyland Jr and Josh Kelly versus Kris George is on Sky Sports Action from 7pm on Saturday night.
