? Champion 'looking forward to a wee break'
? Judges unanimous in awarding points victory to Scot
Ricky Burns made a successful first defence of his WBO super-featherweight title against Andreas Evensen at the Braehead Arena but said he had not been able to hit top gear.
Burns, who had a spectacular and surprise victory over the previously unbeaten Rom�n Mart�nez to win the title in September, said: "I felt I was a bit flat but if I can go out there, not be at my best and still win, that's the main thing. I've had a tough year. Before I won the world title, there was a lot of hassle about getting the fight happening.
"So I feel as if I have been training all year. I only fought three months ago after a couple of weeks off, so I'm looking forward to a wee break and hopefully getting back in the ring at the end of March."
Burns was made to work hard for his unanimous points win. Evensen, a Colombian-born Norwegian, was on the canvas within seconds but despite controlling most of the fight Burns could not pin his opponent down. After 12 pulsating rounds the judges scored the contest 119-108, 119-108 and 118-109 in favour of Burns.
The Scot will make his next defence in March or April but he will have to search long and hard for an opponent as difficult as Evensen. The challenger was looking to stay out of trouble in the opening stages, hoping that 12 rounds would take its toll on the reigning champion. However, Evensen had to take a standing count within seconds of the first bell and took several stinging shots to the head after that.
Burns, bigger and stronger, must have felt frustrated at not being able to finish the fight off, especially through rounds eight and nine when he unleashed flurries of punches. He looked to be tiring but he rallied in round 11, as Evensen forced his way forward looking for the one big punch which would provide a shock. Both boxers were given an ovation at the start of the last round but by then Burns was well ahead.
Paul Appleby will not get the chance to face Burns next year when he lost on a split decision to Ghana's Joseph Laryea in their WBO intercontinental super-featherweight title fight. One judge scored it 115-113 for the South Queensferry boxer and two scored it 116-112 and 117-111 in favour of Laryea.
Earlier in the evening the former WBO super featherweight champion Alex Arthur had a comfortable win on points over a late replacement, Jay Morris.
The Commonwealth Games gold medallist Callum Johnson began his professional career as a light heavyweight with a second-round stoppage of Belfast's Phillip Townley.
No comments:
Post a Comment