Broner next for Burns if he beats Relikh
Ricky Burns will land a huge showdown with Adrien Broner if he successfully defends his WBA World Super Lightweight title against dangerous mandatory challenger Kiryl Relikh at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Friday October 7.
Three-weight World king Burns makes the first defence of the belt he won in style in May, knocking out Michele Di Rocco in the same arena in eight rounds.
The Coatbridge ace faces the hard-hitting Relikh in his 12th World title fight in his glittering career, and the carrot of a blockbuster battle with four-weight champion Broner, with the brash Cincinnati man heading to Scotland for the fight next week to take a close look at the ‘Rickster’.
“We were pretty much there in terms of the deal to fight Broner but because of issues out of the ring we all decided to fight Relikh and try and clear the mandatory before securing the fight against Broner in December,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.
“Adrien contacted me this week and said he is coming to Glasgow on October 7 to watch the fight and if Ricky defeats Relikh I expect that fight to get made without any problems.”
Burns’ clash with Relikh is part of a huge night of action in Glasgow with two tasty British title fights whetting the appetite.
Cardle: I need to perform in Glasgow
Scotty Cardle feels he needs to produce a big performance in his British Lightweight title defense against Kevin Hooper at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Friday night. Cardle puts the British Lightweight strap on the line for the third time having beaten and drawn with Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd in two great scraps in Liverpool.
Hooper recently described Cardle’s reign as ‘average’, and that’s a sentiment that the champion agreed with. Cardle may not have been impressed with his performances against Dodd but both fights were real crowd pleasers.
The 27 year old looked to be heading to defeat in the first fight in November before scoring a dramatic 12th round stoppage at the Echo Arena. The pair met in the same venue five months later and Cardle held onto his belt by the slenderest of margins through a majority draw.
A third fight between the two was mooted but dismissed by Cardle who wants to put those performances behind him and blossom on the big stage on Friday.
“I’m determined to go out there and make a statement,” said Cardle. “I’m well overdue a big performance and I feel that this is the right stage and the right time to do so. You haven’t seen the best of me yet but on a big stage with the Scottish fans supporting me – I believe I will reach a new level.
“I’ve read his comments that I’ve been average, which in fairness I can’t disagree with that as I feel I’ve been below average in both Dodd fights.
“I always feel pressure when I fight. I never take anyone lightly, I didn’t against Sean Dodd believe it or not. Pressure is a privilege for me and I perform better under it. I’ve got to perform, no if’s, but’s or maybe’s. I’ve got to more to do than just win, it is the manner in which I do so, to get me to sit up and make people remember me and take notice.
“My mind is well and truly on the task this time – if I’m to progress on to the next level I need to demonstrate to everybody that I am a level above the domestic guys, which I truly believe I am.
“I’ve said in press conferences in the past that I’ve got aspirations to box at a higher level, go further to European level and who knows maybe beyond that. I’m not naive enough to look past Hooper and he has my undivided attention. But I feel this fight can be a stepping stone on to some truly great things for me.”
Hooper: Cardle has been average – I become champion on October 7
British Lightweight title challenger plans to rip the belt from Cardle in Glasgow
Kevin Hooper says he will end Scotty Cardle’s ‘average’ reign as British Lightweight champion when they clash at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Friday October 7, live on Sky Sports.
Cardle defends the belt for the third time next week, having clashed twice with Birkenhead’s Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd in Liverpool. The first outing ended in a dramatic 12th round stoppage win for the champ in November and he then held onto the strap with a majority draw in April.
Grimsby challenger Hooper believes the Lytham St. Annes based Scot is lucky to still hold the crown and the former English champion plans to end his reign in style in Glasgow.
“I’m in the shape of my life for this fight and I know I’m going to beat him,” said Hooper. “We’ve had plenty of soars in the past and I’ve handled him comfortably. He looked average against Sean Dodd and I know his weaknesses and how to exploit them.
“I’ve had to get this shot the hard way and I’ve earnt it where as he has been gifted opportunities I can’t wait to become British champion on October 7.”
