• Lightweight

Confidence the base for Burns

ESPN staff
March 12, 2012
Ricky Burns is eyeing a fight on his home turf in Airdrie this summer © Getty Images
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Ricky Burns moved closer to a potential all-British lightweight encounter with Kevin Mitchell by seeing off Paulus Moses over the weekend, as the Scot successfully defended his WBO title for the first time.

Burns sold out Glasgow's Braehead Arena and took a unanimous decision over Moses, and after being taken 12 rounds in his previous two fights the 28-year-old said it is his confidence that is helping him through such gruelling contests.

"He could punch and he caught me on the shoulder in the same spot a few times and my arm was dead. At the end I was just trying to pepper it out, keep my distance. It was a tough fight but we expected that," said Burns.

"I guess my confidence is getting me there. I've always been confident, without being cocky. I just like to get out there and get on with the business. People can't believe how calm I am before, when I am walking around a shopping centre on the day of a fight.

"He was looking for the big right counter over the top and he caught me with it a couple of times. But I'm still learning, there are still more improvements to come."

Talk has centred around a meeting with Mitchell, and whilst Burns will not be drawn on his next opponent he is hopeful of meeting his next match on home soil.

"There was talk about fighting at Airdrie last year when I was at super-featherweight," he added. "I think a fight there in the summer would be a big hit, because I'm from there. I think it would be a sell out."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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