Burns set for homecoming defence

Ricky Burns will be “looking forward” to fighting on home soil when he takes on Paulus Moses on March 10.

Burns set for Glasgow return

The Scotsmen will defend his WBO interim lightweight title for the first time when he takes on Moses, who has lost just once in 29 fights, at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow.

Burns will be glad to be back on home soil, with his last two fights taking place outside Scotland.

“This is going to be a tough fight,” said Burns. “I’m looking forward to fighting in Glasgow again after a couple of fights away from home.”

Don’t let the fact you’ve probably never heard of Paulus Moses mislead you, this has the potential to be a very tough fight for Burns.

Moses, nicknamed ‘The Hitman’, is a former WBA lightweight champion and has won 19 fights via knockout, with his only loss coming against Miguel Acosta.

It’s a good test for Burns. There were talks with Hatton Promotions about a potential domestic dust up with Anthony Crolla but promoter Frank Warren was unable to reach an agreement on finances.

But Burns shouldn’t look past Moses though, who’s proven at this level and he can bang as well.

I’m expecting Burns will want to put on a bit of a show and possibly make a statement by knocking Moses out but he’ll have to be aware of Moses’ power. He’ll need that same mentality he took into his last fight against Michael Katsidis.

I think Burns will box smart for the first round or two and once he’s figured Moses out; he’ll up the pressure and go for the knockout

If Burns wins here, and impressively, it could set him up for another world title shot.

But before Burns takes a run at one of the world champions, I’d like to see him fight Kevin Mitchell. An on-song Kevin Mitchell is a match for anyone at lightweight (I don’t consider Juan Manuel Marquez a lightweight anymore before anyone suggests him).

A fight between Burns and Mitchell has all the ingredients to make a fantastic domestic scrap.

Froch: A free agent

WBC Super Middleweight Champion: Carl Froch

Carl Froch has officially confirmed his split from Hennessy Sports promotions.

There have been rumours for weeks but the WBC super middleweight champion has confirmed the split from long time promoter Mick Hennessy.

I’ve been a long time fan of Carl Froch and firmly believe this could be the best thing to happen to him. For one reason or the other, Froch has not received the backing from British fans or TV stations, while the likes of David Haye, Amir Khan and even Audley Harrison have received fantastic backing from the TV stations.

Froch has admitted he’ll promote himself for his next two fights, which are already mapped out in the Super Six tournament, but once that is over I believe one of the big UK boxing promoters should step in and sign Froch up. He is a fantastic fighter who never backs down from a challenge and is always in exciting fights; he is a promoters dream in my eyes.

If I was Ricky Hatton, I’d be straight on the phone to Carl and sign him up. He is just the sort of fighter Hatton needs to help his promotion company; he could be their star name.

And Hatton could do wonders for Froch too. Hatton is probably the most popular British boxer in history and his popularity could definitely help Froch gain the wider exposure he deserves.

Whatever happens, I really hope Froch does get some better exposure because he has been greatly under appreciated by British fans for far too long.

One to watch: Joe Collins

Collins (left): One to watch

With the state of British boxing looking better than ever, The Sweet Science UK sat down with rising star Joe “Crackers” Collins to discuss how he got into boxing and how he sees his future in boxing panning out. 

The 24-year-old Manchester based-boxer is a bit of a late bloomer to the professional ranks and relatively unknown but with his last fight being promoted under the Hatton Promotions banner; he is sure to be a face British fans will soon come to recognise very soon.

“I first got into boxing through a friend. I was coming off a knee injury I sustained in a football match and I was just trying to get fit again to play football.

“But once I was there I couldn’t turn back. The atmosphere in the gym and the work rate was first class and after I had my first sparring session, I didn’t look at any other sport. Boxing had and has taken over my life.”

Studying boxers and boxing itself became the norm for Joe, who counts the likes of Marco Antonio Barrrera, Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe as his idols.

“I used to look up to the likes of Hatton, Calzaghe, Michael Brodie, Scott Harrison and, of course, Barrera. They were brilliant to watch.

“My favourite fight has to be the second fight between Barrera and Erik Morales, it was an incredible fight. But Michael Gomez v Alex Arthur was a bit special too and has to be up there.”

The light-welterweight now trains under the well-respected coach Bob Shannon at Shannon’s Fighting Fit gym in Openshaw.

“Bob Shannon is a great trainer who is very determined and very knowledgeable about the sport.

“I look up to all the lads I train with at Shannon’s gym. Denton Vassell, Prince Arron, Kieran Maher and of course, Matthew Hatton. It’s a top set-up there and everyone in the gym helps out. They all play their part in the gym and they deserve all the credit in the world for making it such a success.”

Talk moves on to Joe’s style of boxing, which may shock a few of you considering his “Crackers” nickname.

“I like to slip and roll under shots you know. I’m not adverse to mixing it up but that’s definitely my style.

When asked on which boxer he’d like to fight, the response wasn’t as I’d expected.

“Rocky Balboa! (Haha) Why not? To be honest I’ve never really thought of who I’d like to step into the ring with.”

Following a defeat in his last fight (the fight was stopped in the third following a clash of heads which left Collins with a broken nose) we asked Collins how he sees his career in boxing panning out.

“I want to get as far as my ambition and drive will take me.”

When asked if he feels he could become a title holder in his division, Collins responded quite simply.

“If I don’t believe in myself no-one would ever believe me.”

There is no doubting he’s got people who believe in him. The likes of Hatton Promotions, Bob Shannon and his stable mates. But most importantly he has that inner self belief that is the most crucial thing for a boxer.

Finally we finished up the interview by asking Collins, a student of the game, on his prediction for the up-coming Khan – McCloskey fight.

“I think Khan will win by stoppage late on, around the 10th. McCloskey will be very tricky and he can hit too, so it will be a tough fight for Amir, a lot tougher than some think.”