Ricky Burns puts his world lightweight title on the line for the fourth time this Saturday night, exclusively live on Sky Sports.
‘Rickster’ meets Mexican Raymundo Beltran at the Scottish Exhibition Centre in Glasgow, kicking off a bumper season of live boxing on Sky Sports as the Coatbridge ace tackles the Mexican.
The WBO lightweight champion returns to action as the season cranks up a gear following the brief summer hiatus.
Burns was given a real scare in his last title defence. Defeat looked a genuine possibility for the 30-year-old in his bout with Jose Gonzalez in May 2011.
The contest was firmly in the balance until Gonzalez was forced to withdraw with a wrist injury at the end of the ninth round.
Burns has vowed to learn from the mistakes he made in that fight ahead of his showdown with Beltran.
He will have to be at his best against a man getting his first shot a world title.
Beltran currently sits sixth in the world rankings and has won 28 of his 34 professional bouts.
With 17 of those victories coming via a knockout, Burns will know defence could be key if he is to avoid hitting the mat.
The 30-year-old Coatbridge ace returned from an eight month absence from the ring to battle past González and is adamant he will turn on the style against Beltran.
“It’s great to be back out again in Glasgow and against another tough opponent,” said Burns.
“It was a tricky night against José but I got myself through it like a true champion does and I will be looking to step up a gear against Beltran, who I know will be coming to Scotland full of confidence, so it should be another great night in Glasgow.
“Raymundo is coming over to cause an upset and take the title – and it’s a chance he has earned.
“But there will be no mistakes from me on the night and you’ll see the best of me in there.”
Adding the spectactle on fight night, Hall of Fame ring announcer Michael Buffer is to travel over to Glasgow to call both fighters into the ring.
The legendary master of ceremonies will be whipping up the crowd as Burns steps into the ring in his eighth world title bout and the fourth defence of his belt.
Also on the night in Glasgow, Luke Campbell fights Lee Connelly in his second bout as a professional boxer.
Two months on from his stunning debut, the 2012 Olympic champion returns to the ring having needed just 90 seconds to see off the challenge of Andy Harris in his pro debut fight back in July.
Connelly will be standing in the opposite corner on Saturday evening and will be eager to surprise those who have branded him a fall-guy heading into the bout.
Sky Sports will have all the action from a top night of international boxing live from Glasgow.
‘Ringside’ on Thursday will feature a full preview of the fight night with its first airing at 6.00pm on Sky Sports 2.
A further preview show – Fight Night Countdown – featuring highlights and interviews from the weigh-in – will air on Sky Sports 2 at 7.00pm on Friday night.
Then on Saturday evening, Dave Clark introduces live coverage from the SECC alongside Johnny Nelson and Glenn McCrory, who will both provide expert analysis.
Big fight commentary comes from Nick Halling and Jim Watt.
All the action will be shown in a three-and-half live programme on Sky Sports 2 HD starting at 8.00pm, plus online via Sky Go.
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Saturday 7th September
Braveheart: Ricky Burns v Raymundo Beltran
LIVE: 8.00pm-11.30pm Sky Sports 2
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