Probellum can today proudly announce the promotional signing of Scotland’s only ever three-weight world champion Ricky Burns.

Burns (43-8-1, 16 knockouts) is one of the most successful boxers of the last decade, holding world titles at super-featherweight, lightweight and super-lightweight between 2010 and 2017.

During that time, the Scottish hero earned memorable wins over fighters such as Michael Katsidis, Kiryl Relikh, Roman Martinez and Kevin Mitchell, whilst also sharing the ring with the likes of Terence Crawford and Ray Beltran.

To this day, Burns remains one of the best Scottish fighters ever produced, having competed on 52 occasions in his illustrious professional career, with 13 of those being world title bouts.

He is the latest high-profile signing to team up with Probellum, after former world champions Regis Prograis and Badou Jack joined earlier this week.

Probellum has also announced ground-breaking co-promotional agreements with some of the biggest names in sport, such as Wasserman Boxing, Universum in Germany, LNK Boxing in Latvia, Glozier Boxing in New Zealand, Team Ellis Boxing in Australia Armin Tan Promotions in Indonesia, and Box Office Sports in Ghana.

“I’m honoured to be signing this promotional agreement with Probellum,” said Burns. “I feel I’ve still got plenty left to offer in my career and I can’t wait to make my long-awaited return in the near future, hopefully with thousands of my fans in attendance.

“From my conversations with Probellum it’s clear that we share the same vision and goals, so I’m looking forward to stepping back into the ring soon and having a powerhouse like them backing me.”

“We are ecstatic to announce the promotional signing of three-weight world champion Ricky Burns,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum. “Ricky is one of the best fighters of this generation, and there are still some huge nights ahead of him.

“Scottish boxing is at an all-time high at the moment with fighters such as Josh Taylor, Lee McGregor and Kash Farooq flying the flag, but Ricky remains a national hero. He hasn’t had the chance to fight in Scotland since 2017, and there are going to be endless possibilities for him after joining us here at Probellum.”

News on when Burns will have his first bout since signing a promotional deal with Probellum will be announced in the near future.

For live news and updates, be sure to follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Ricky Burns says it would be fitting to draw the curtain on his illustrious career in Glasgow when the time is right, but the Coatbridge hero is confident he still has plenty more great nights left in the tank as he spoke with Chris Lloyd in the latest episode of Matchroom Boxing’s podcast ‘The Lockdown Tapes’.
THE LOCKDOWN TAPES WITH RICKY BURNS IS ALSO ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW!
Burns (43-8-1, 16 KOs ) created history by becoming Scotland’s first three-weight World champion in May 2016 when he added Super-Lightweight glory to his Super-Featherweight and Lightweight titles by stopping Michele Di Rocco for the WBA title at the SSE Hydro.

‘Rickster’ joined the paid ranks at the age of 18 in October 2001, decisioning Woody Greenway at Kevlin Hall in Glasgow, 51 fights and almost 20 years later the ultimate professional insists that he is still going strong following a close defeat to Welshman Lee Selby in London last October. 

“I just felt as if I had done enough to win in that fight,” said Burns. “It wasn’t just the Selby fight but over the last year and on social media, I had lots of people asking me if I was still fighting. After the fight it was things like that going through my head but I’m not ready to retire yet. If I had went in and Lee had punched the face off me I would have said no more. 

“As I say, I thought I had done enough to win and I do think I have a couple of good fights left in me so let’s see what happens! I was 36 at the time, I am 37 now and I don’t kid myself. I know I have got a year or two left of my career. I’ve always said I will decide when the time is right, I just don’t like it when people are trying to force it upon me.

“I started ticking over in the gym up here and had to shake off a few injuries after the Selby fight. All the scans have come back clear and I have been back to normal doing marathon runs, the body is all good. 

“We’ve not spoken about dates or opponents yet but I would love to finish my career in Glasgow and have one more big night up here. Throughout my career the fans have always turned up and showed great support so I would love to put on one last show for them up here before I call it a day.

“I don’t really want to think about life after boxing until I’ve decided that’s it. I see myself staying within boxing and getting an amateur club started. Getting my pro license would be great and I think I would make a good coach and a good trainer.”

As well as reflecting on his glittering career and looking ahead to what comes next, Burns discusses his amateur days in Scotland, dealing with losses, what it takes to maintain his incredible fitness, as well as the future of Scottish boxing. 

Fans can find Burn’s episode plus previous episodes with Joshua Buatsi, Devin Haney, Joe Cordina, Joseph Parker, Josh Warrington, Daniel Jacobs, Liam Smith, Demetrius Andrade, John Ryder and more here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-matchroom-boxing-podcast/id1506174562

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YRAWQS5JXB0OvM8vCqZxq

Matchroom Website: https://www.matchroomboxing.com/lockdown-tapes-podcast/

John Docherty is determined to emulate gym mate and compatriot Ricky Burns by winning a World title of his own one day.

The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist trains alongside Scottish legend Burns at Tony Sims’ gym in Essex, where he is currently preparing for his third professional outing at The O2 in London on February 2.

Burns created history by becoming Scotland’s firs three-weight World Champion in May 2016 when he added Super-Lightweight glory to his Super-Featherweight and Lightweight titles by stopping Michele Di Rocco for the WBA title in Glasgow, and in doing so inspired a wave of new talent.

“Ricky is a legend in Scotland and someone that I’ve always looked up to,” said Docherty. “It’s an honour to train alongside him every day, I’ve already learnt so much from him. He’s one of the most dedicated fighters out there, never misses a session and always puts 100% effort in.

“His attitude is infectious, it’s great to be around people like him. He’s always sharing his knowledge and advice with me – I couldn’t be in a better place. He really is an inspiration to younger fighters like myself and I intend on taking full advantage of his wealth of experience.

“His dedication has taken him to the very top of the sport. It’s one thing having the talent and ability, but it’s his complete devotion to the sport that has got him to where he is today. I want to follow in his footsteps and bring a World title back to Scotland. I’m aiming high, but what’s the point being in this game if you don’t want to be the best?”

Docherty, 21, has made a perfect start to life in the paid ranks, blitzing Jordan Latimer in 8 seconds on his debut in Newcastle in October before halting Angel Castillo in Florence, Italy a month later, and the Former Team GB member is hoping to carry his explosive form into 2019.

“Everything has gone great so far,” added Docherty. “I just need to keep on doing what I’m doing in the gym and listening to Tony. I’m improving every day and I’ve got a great team around me.

“I’ve been getting some great rounds in with Craig Richards, Ted Cheeseman and Felix Cash. I’m feeling stronger than ever and I want another knockout on February 2nd.”

Docherty features on a huge night of action in London.

Bermondsey star Ted Cheeseman steps up again when he challenges undefeated Spaniard Sergio Garcia for the European Super-Welterweight crown.

Undefeated British Cruiserweight Champion Lawrence Okolie returns to action after his win over Matty Askin at Wembley Stadium in September.

Light-Heavyweight rivals Jake Ball and Craig Richards finally face-off in a highly-anticipated grudge match for the WBA Continental title.

Rising Wokingham Middleweight talent Felix Cash fights for his second professional title when he takes on Nigeria’s Abolaji Rasheed for the vacant Commonwealth strap, with more fights to be announced soon.

Tickets for February 2 priced at £30, £50, £80 and £150 are (VIP) available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

Oleksandr Usyk retained the undisputed cruiserweight title with an 8th round stoppage over Tony Bellew in Manchester, England.

Bellew took the early ;ead by landing some nice right hands on Usyk, who seemed to be biding his time to figure out Bellew.  Usyk started to come on in the middle rounds and got his vaunted jab working.

Clearly with the momentum in his favor, Usyk continued to break down Bellew until he landed a crushing left that sent Bellew crashing back first over the bottom rope.  Bellew got to his knees, but the fight was waved off at 2:00.

Usyk of Ukraine is 16-0 with 12 knockouts.  Bellew of Liverpool, UK is 30-3-1.

Former world champion Anthony Crolla earned another world title shot with a 12-round unanimous decision over Daud Yordan in a lightweight contest.

Crolla of Manchester won by scores of 116-112 on all cards, and is now 34-6-3.  Yordan of Indonesia is 38-4.

Former three-division world champion, Ricky Burns stopped Scott Cardle in round three of their scheduled 10-round lightweight bout.

In round one, blood started to flow from Cardle’s nose from hard jabs from Burns. In round three, Burns landed a perfect right that sent Cardle to the deck. Cardle got to his feet, but the fight was stopped at 2:06.

Burns, 138 lbs of Scotland is 43-7-1 with 16 knockouts. Cardle, 136 1/2 lbs is now 23-3-1.

Josh Kelly stopped Walter Castillo in round one of their scheduled 10-round welterweight bout.

In round one, Kelly dropped Castillo with a perfect 1-2 combination. Moments later, Kelly landed a hard combination on the ropes, and the fight was stopped at 2:55.

Kelly, 151 lbs of Sunderland, UK is 8-0 with six knockouts. Castillo, 149 1/2 lbs of Argentina is 13-3.

Dave Allen stopped Ariel Bracamonte after round seven of their scheduled 10-round heavyweight fight.

In round seven Bracamonte suffered a cut on the bridge of his nose from a flush right hand from Allen. The fight was halted after that round.

Allen, 257 1/4 lbs of England is 16-4-2 with 13 knockouts. Bracamonte, 256 1/2 lbs of Argentina is 8-2.

Richard Riakporhe stopped Sam Hyde in round eight of their scheduled 10-round cruiserweight bout featuring undefeated cruiserweights.

Riakporhe landed hard shots in round eight, and Hyde’s left eye began to swell in round eight. There was a huge hemotama that shut Hyde’s eight and the towel was thrown in.

Riakporhe, 197.3 lbs of London is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Hyde, 199.5 lbs of Manchester, UK is 13-1-1.

Dymytro Mytrofano and Gino Kanters battled to a four-round draw in a middleweight fight.

In round one, Kanters dropped Mytrofanov just seconds into the fight. Mytronfavov fought back but was only able to muster a draw.

Mytrofanov, who was an Olympian is 2-0-1. Kanters of The Netherlands is 5-2-1. The referee score was 38-38.