Burns 'embarrassed' by praise
Ricky Burns admits he is "embarrassed" at being tipped to become Scotland's greatest boxer.
The WBO super-featherweight champion defends his title against Joseph Laryea at the Braehead Arena on Saturday night. If, as expected, the 27-year-old Coatbridge fighter comes out on top he has been promised a unification fight against South Africa's IBF belt holder Mzonke Fana some time in the summer.
According to Burns' trainer, Billy Nelson, victory in that fight would mean he will have proved himself better than Scottish ring legends like Benny Lynch, Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt - but Scotland's current world champion is uncomfortable with being mentioned among such boxing greats and said: "I just get embarrassed by it all."
He added: "I am getting used to the media attention, that doesn't bother me any more.
"But when people are talking you up, I just feel myself cringing a bit sometimes.
"And when people praise you it puts that little bit of pressure on you.
"I don't see it as a big deal. I see myself as a normal guy. I treat boxing like my job.
"Everyone knows what I am like. I like to keep myself to myself and do my talking in the ring."
Date published :
08 Mar 2011 - 16:00:07
