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Warren: Burns not running scared of Broner

Frank Warren stands between his man Ricky Burns, left, and past opponent Paulus Moses © PA Photos

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Ricky Burns is not running away from Adrien Broner but will only fight "The Problem" when the time is right, according to his promoter Frank Warren.

WBC champion Broner has accused his WBO equivalent of dodging a fight with him when the pair were super-featherweights.

Burns moved up to lightweight in 2011 and Broner has subsequently followed, making his debut at 135lbs in November against Antonio DeMarco.

After taking DeMarco's crown, he then tried to set up a unification clash with Burns but the 29-year-old from Coatbridge reportedly priced himself out of the fight.

But Warren has said a lack of preparation time was also a factor and Burns and Broner have since set up different bouts with Miguel Vazquez and Gavin Rees respectively. Should they both come through, Warren has promised Burns-Broner will happen.

"All this nonsense about Burns swerving Cincinnati megaphone Adrien Broner, the WBC champ who now defends against Welshman Gavin Rees in Atlantic City on February 16, makes me laugh," Warren wrote in his Sun column.

"Ricky simply declined that date - not the fight - because he felt he was not given adequate time to prepare correctly, something he rightly never compromises. He intends to beat Broner, not just simply turn up for the dough.

"That fight will happen, home or abroad, provided both continue to win and I remain confident that my man will be triumphant. Cynics please note that, in his last three gigs, Burns has done a job on world-grade opposition in Michael Katsidis, Paulus Moses and Kevin Mitchell. His competition level far exceeds Broner's.

"And adding Senor Vazquez's IBF strap would certainly strengthen Ricky's bargaining power when the time comes to negotiate."

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