Ricky Burns

Ricky Burns, born on April 13, 1983, in Bellshill, Scotland, initiated his professional boxing career in October 2001 with a four-round victory against Woody Greenaway at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow. His early career comprised a series of wins against opponents such as Jeff Thomas, Ernie Smith, and Daniel Thorpe. A notable early achievement was his victory over unbeaten British lightweight champion Graham Earl in February 2005, marking a significant upset in his developing catalog of achievements.

Burns competed for domestic titles in the super-featherweight division, including challenges for British, Commonwealth, and European championships. In September 2008, he secured the vacant Commonwealth super-featherweight title by outpointing Osumanu Akaba. He successfully defended this title multiple times, including against Yakubu Amidu in November 2008 and Michael Gomez in March 2009. His career reached a pivotal moment in September 2010 when he challenged and defeated Roman Martinez for the WBO super-featherweight title, becoming Scotland’s 12th world champion. He defended this title successfully against Andreas Evensen in December 2010, Joseph Laryea in March 2011, and Nicky Cook in July 2011.

Transitioning to lightweight, Burns claimed the WBO interim lightweight title by defeating Michael Katsidis in November 2011. He was later elevated to WBO lightweight champion and successfully defended the title against Paulus Moses in March 2012 and Kevin Mitchell in September 2012. He continued his career through the light-welterweight division, achieving a third world title by winning the vacant WBA light-welterweight title against Michele Di Rocco in May 2016. He defended this title against Kiryl Relikh in October 2016. Burns has competed in 54 professional bouts, compiling a record of 45 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw, with 17 victories coming by knockout.