Burns’ First Title Defense, WBO Super Featherweight Title Bout:
Scotland’s Ricky Burns is gearing up for the first defense of his WBO super featherweight crown, facing the in-form Norwegian Andreas Evensen on December 4 in Glasgow. Burns won the title with a spectacular and surprising unanimous decision victory over Roman Martinez in September and although the firm favorite, will need to draw on his experience and skill to shut out Evensen who is unbeaten in his last seven fights and holds the WBO intercontinental featherweight title.
Burns ought to be prepared for a hard nights work, though if he stays calm and remembers the basics, this should be a one sided affair. Evensen is stepping up in weight for the first time and against a tall, gangly super featherweight like Burns may struggle to impose himself.
Burns boasts quick movement and utilizes his height to good effect. He snaps out his long jab, opens up opponents, and creates space and time to unleash quick combinations. Against Martinez he shocked the world and proved his worth as a class fighter. With Evensen however, he will need to show a different side to his character and not underestimate this less experienced challenger.
Evensen is certainly an interesting character, and one which the Norwegian people have taken to their hearts. Born in Bogota, Colombia, but raised by his adoptive parents in Norway, he mixes a cool, calm Scandinavian style with bursts of sizzling Latino fire.
A good amateur career gave Evensen a platform for mainstream support, but pro boxing, unlike the amateur game, is banned in Norway. This has meant Evensen is constantly on the road and has never fought in front of a home crowd. He therefore may well be in for a shock on hearing the deafening roar of Burns’ ‘tartan army’ of followers as around five thousand passionate Scots are expected at the Braehead Arena.
Yet Evensen does have a big following. While the paid ranks may be outlawed in Norway this doesn’t stop the sport generating masses of support, and Evensen is expected to bring an assortment of his own friends, fans and media personnel to Glasgow.
Having only fought fourteen pro fights and already tasting defeat at the hands of the relatively unimpressive Canadian Benoit Gaudet, Evensen will need to be on top of his game to test Burns. The Norwegian has always been credited with good footwork, stamina and counterpunching but has recently began adding real power to his repertoire, flooring each of his last two opponents and stopping his last four. The fighters Evensen has faced however are less than impressive and in Burns he will meet a champion who has operated as a top domestic super featherweight almost his entire ten year career.
Burns too has been beaten but seems to have learned from his mistakes. A 2006 points defeat to Alex Arthur and a similar unanimous decision loss to Carl Johanneson in 2007 could have derailed the Scotsman’s career. Yet both defeats were against shrewd operators and in domestic title fights. Since then, Burns has proved his boxing brain and determination. Working on his style and commitment he bounced back from the Johanneson loss racking up thirteen impressive victories, the Commonwealth title and then of course the dethroning of Martinez back in September.
A possible way in for Evensen could be Burns’ supposed struggle with the weight. His height and frame have always been big for the division and with rumors of an immanent move up to lightweight, it will be interesting to see if the champ does look drained. If he does, Evensen’s powerful punching to the body could spell danger. Yet, this still depends on Burns’ attitude. If he is switched on, the sheer volume of punches he will throw should subdue Evensen and if he bullies the Norwegian with his height and reach advantage it ought to be a straight forward victory for the Coatbridge man.
A lot has been made of Evensen’s durability and newf ound punching power, but that will not be enough to defeat an intelligent fighter like Burns. If the Scotsman plays it safe for the opening few rounds he should find a way through the inexperienced challenger. I am expecting Burns to pick off his man with that long looping jab and barely drop a point all night.
Prediction Burns to win via 7th round TKO
