http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/warren-s-vow-to-give-ricky-full-title-tilt-1.1143575 FRANK WARREN will do whatever he can to make sure Ricky Burns’ next fight is for the full WBO world lightweight title. As exclusively revealed in later editions of yesterday’s Sporttimes, Burns will make his first defence of the WBO Interim title against Namibia’s No.4 ranked Paulus Moses at the Braehead Arena, on Saturday, March 10.
The most powerful figure in British boxing has been working behind the scenes to ensure the fight is for the full version of the title, currently held by Mexican Juan-Manuel Marquez, for whom Burns is the mandatory challenger.
Warren said: “I am hoping by the time we get to March 10 this fight will be for the full world title.
“Talks are ongoing with the WBO and the bottom line is Ricky is Marquez mandatory challenger and if he doesn’t want to fight him, he should vacate.
“So there are things going on behind the scenes and we will see where they take us.
“The Moses fight is great for Ricky and is against a very dangerous opponent and, hopefully, the Scottish public will come out and support him.”
At 33, former WBA lightweight champion Moses may have his best days behind him but he has had three wins in a row, two by stoppage, since he lost lost the title via a sixth-round stoppage to Miguel Acosta on May 29, 2010.
Burns was careful to record full respect to Moses. He said: “There is no way we are going to underestimate Moses.
“He is a former WBA lightweight champion with a very good pedigree and plenty of experience. He can also bang a bit and we will have to be wary of him early on.
“I’m sure it will be a cracking fight and I am glad it is at the Braehead Arena. I have not seen much footage of him, but I will have a look at some DVDs and I will be training for a hard fight.”