• Ricky Burns v Raymundo Beltran

'Politics' cost Beltran, Burns open to rematch

Ricky Burns was fortunate to retain his WBO belt © PA Photos

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Raymundo Beltran insists politics were behind the decision not to award him a victory over Ricky Burns following the controversial draw on Saturday night, while Burns remains open to the possibility of a rematch.

Much to the surprise of many, Burns retained his WBO lightweight title in Glasgow after the third judge had scored the fight 114-114. Burns had been knocked down in the eighth round and suffered a broken jaw in the second round.

Asked whether he thought he had done enough to become world champion, Beltran told Sky Sports: "Yes I do, absolutely," adding the reason as to why he was not handed the win.

"Politics, always the same thing in boxing. There is money involved, it is business, every time they have a chance to protect their investment they do it. They play with the business, they have the power.

"If I got beat I got beat, I've been getting robbed every time. It is just so frustrating, there is so much sacrifice. We put ourselves on the line. But it is business."

Mexican Beltran revealed he would consider a rematch, but only on his continent. "I fight anybody but I want to fight in a fair place, I want to fight in America," he said.

Burns, who escaped with a fortunate victory in his last title defence against Jose A Gonzalez, was full of praise for his opponent, and is open to the possibility of a rematch.

"What a fight that was - I take my hat off to Raymundo," Burns said, who is set to have surgery on his broken jaw. "I don't know how I got through that, I can hardly string two words together out here. I knew it was close: I was trying to stick to my jab. He was coming in swinging.

"I was worried about getting caught on the jaw again, when I did the pain was incredible. I'll get this jaw sorted and maybe me and Raymundo can do it again."

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