Panel: Give Ricky more respect

Ricky Burns has followed in some of boxing’s most famous footsteps by being crowned a three-weight world champion. ‘Rickster’ has joined Bob Fitzsimmons and Duke McKenzie as the only Brits to do it, so does he get enough credit? We asked The Panel, past and present, what they think…

Michael Gomez

It is unbelievable how far Ricky Burns has gone. Back in 2007 I watched him against Carl Johanneson who put him down before beating him on points, but since then he’s just got stronger and stronger and I never thought he was going to be half the fighter he’s become.

I know Craig Docherty and Willie Limond and they have told me you will never see a more dedicated fighter than Ricky. He deserves everything he gets. He was my last fight and I am a couch potato these days so I will be supporting him from my home and I wish him all the best.

Johnny Nelson

No way. He will get the proper credit in about 50 years but right now, no. That’s it. Ricky is a bit like Ant Crolla: he was losing domestic fights back in the day, then stepped up to the British and when he went beyond that, we all thought he would lose sooner rather than later. But as soon as they were both in that world level they upped their game.

Ricky’s just not getting the recognition he deserves for those achievements. We are talking about a world champion six years ago and a guy who went on to win at two more weights. If the Adrien Broner fight does come about, not many people will expect him to beat him, but did anyone expect Ricky Burns to become a three-weight world champion? If I am honest I think he …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com