Burns: Celtic backing means a lot
Ricky Burns is expecting a 'good luck' phone call from Celtic manager Neil Lennon ahead of Saturday night's world title bout in Glasgow.
The Coatbridge fighter has already received a signed football top from the Hoops team and has been told he can expect to hear from the boss himself as he prepares for one of the biggest nights of his career. Burns will challenge Roman Martinez for the WBO world super-featherweight title at the Kelvin Hall and is thrilled with the backing he has received ahead of the clash.
He told Press Association Sport: "I've never met Neil Lennon but one of my friends is friendly with him and apparently he has given Neil my number."
Burns added: "Neil said he was going to give me a phone before the fight to wish me all the best so I hope he does and I'm looking forward to getting the chance to speak to the man himself. I got a 'good luck' top from all the Celtic players. I'm going to get it framed and it's definitely one for the living room."
Both fighters made the weight at Friday's weigh-in at a Glasgow hotel. They then squared up for the cameras, with Martinez attempting to crank up the heat by running his finger across his throat in a slashing motion.
But Burns was neither surprised nor fazed by the act, insisting: "I was waiting for it. When I watched his last few fights, when he gets into the ring and they announce his name, he always does it then as well."
With Burns facing the scales this on Friday afternoon, he was forced to pull out of best man duties at his brother's wedding - but says his family are well aware of the importance of the fight.
"My brother is actually in the chapel getting married just now," he said. "But they understand that it's a big fight for me."
Date published :
03 Sep 2010 - 17:30:32
