Ricky Burns achievements underrated due to his friendly nature, says Jamie Moore
Thursday 26 May 2016 09:14, UK
Ricky Burns is on the verge of history and Jamie Moore feels his relative lack of fame is due to his refusal to trash-talk.
Kevin Mitchell says Ricky Burns deserves more credit. Is Burns underrated?
That's definitely the case. The reason behind that is that Ricky Burns is a quiet and unassuming character. He doesn't really say a lot of things and he keeps himself to himself. He's a very nice lad and doesn't make massive headlines. That's probably why his achievements have gone a little bit unnoticed. Hardcore boxing fans know what he's done but I think the general public aren't getting to appreciate what he's achieved.
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I saw Michele Di Rocco fight Lenny Daws and I didn't think that much of him but he's done well since then to get himself in this position. He's credible opposition and actually above Burns in the ratings. It's not an easy fight by any stretch of the imagination but it's definitely a winnable fight for Ricky.
How do you expect Tony Bellew and Ilunga Makabu to react to the Goodison Park atmosphere?
Tony Bellew tells Johnny Nelson he's 'just a scouser in a tracksuit'
An outdoor fight at a football stadium. Nights like these are few and far between so both fighters will be in a situation they haven't been in before. Having said that, I don't expect it to faze either man too much. Certainly, Bellew will take it in his stride because he's been involved in big fights on big occasions before so I don't see that as an issue for him. What's a few more thousand, hey?
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Makabu is coming into the lion's den. Sometimes, things happen for a reason and I think the story with Tony and the Creed film being involved at Goodison Park; it's like it was all meant to happen. I've got a feeling this is made for Tony Bellew and I think he's going to do the business on the night.
How exciting an addition is Dillian Whyte to the Matchroom stable?
Dillian Whyte has been rehearsing his battle cry
I think he's a very, very good fighter. Just because he lost to Anthony Joshua doesn't make him a bad fighter by any stretch of the imagination. I think he'll become a better fighter for the experience and in the long run, I think that performance against Joshua will look better with hindsight.
It's a good signing by Matchroom and Eddie Hearn sees something in Dillian. He's a character, he makes headlines and he's a little bit controversial. He can certainly fight. Who's to say that in two years' time, if Whyte can establish himself and get some good wins, that he's not going to be in a position to challenge Joshua to a rematch for a world title?
Do you agree with Barry Hearn that Amir Khan should retire?
Amir Khan admits that moving up to fight Saul Alvarez was a step too far
That's a very tough one. For Barry to say that, it's his opinion and I respect that. Amir Khan is 29 and that'd be a very young age to retire at but if I was in Amir Khan's situation after the career he's had, having earned the sort of money he has, I'd probably retire myself. I retired soon after turning 31 and I wasn't in anywhere near the position that Khan is in right now.
Amir has to do what he thinks is best for him. I wouldn't say he should retire because I think he still has some good fights left in him but they aren't going to be easy ones because of the level he boxes at. Like I said, if I was in his position I would walk away but Amir has to make whatever decision he feels is right for him.
It was suggested at the weekend that four-fight novice Joe Fournier could face Tony Bellew. What's the biggest commentary/punditry faux-pas you can remember?
I've not heard of a more embarrassing one in boxing than that so I'll have to go for a football one...
It was when Chris Kamara was commentating live on Soccer Saturday and we all found out that he'd missed the sending off.
Watch Ricky Burns v Michele Di Rocco on Saturday from 8pm and Tony Bellew v Ilunga Makabu on Sunday from 6.30pm - both on Sky Sports 1
