Ricky Burns feels like a new man after switching trainers ahead of his showdown with unbeaten Dejan Zlaticanin later this month.
Burns swapped Billy Nelson for Essex coach Tony Sims after losing his WBO lightweight title to Terence Crawford in a one-sided points defeat in March.
The 31-year-old now travels down from Scotland every week to train at Sims’ Hainault base in preparation for the WBC title eliminator with the Montenegrin at the Braehead Arena, live on Sky Sports.
“I have a real spring in my step for June 27,” said Burns on matchroomboxing.com. I had some great nights over the years but I felt after the Crawford fight that it was time for a change and I have definitely got a new lease of life down in Essex with Tony.
“I fly down on a Monday and work solidly Monday to Friday in the gym and hitting the road, then fly home on a Friday evening.
“Of course it is tough being away from home but it makes you work harder and gives you something to look forward too.
“You saw effect that approach had on Carl Froch as he stayed away from his home comfortsin Sheffield for George Groves rematch, and I think you will see something like that in me on June 27.”
Sparring
Burns trains alongside fellow lightweights Kevin Mitchell, who he defeated in 2012, Olympic champion Luke Campbell and former European junior champion Martin J. Ward.
“There’s top, top class sparring on tap at Tony’s gym,” added Burns. “I was sparring with Kevin in the build-up to his fight with Ghlislain Maduma on the Froch vs Groves bill and also with Martin who was a float on that card. I am also due to start some work with Luke which is fantastic as he’s an incredible talent.
“There are some huge fights out there for me. My last 10 fights have been for world titles and I am at home in the elite so I want to get back there as soon as possible.
“Zlaticanin is unbeaten and will have some ambitions of his own, but I want my next fight to be for a world title and have to put on a great show to earn that.” “I have a real spring in my step for June 27,” said Burns on matchroomboxing.com. I had some great nights over the years but I felt after the Crawford fight that it was time for a change and I have definitely got a new lease of life down in Essex with Tony.
“I fly down on a Monday and work solidly Monday to Friday in the gym and hitting the road, then fly home on a Friday evening.
“Of course it is tough being away from home but it makes you work harder and gives you something to look forward too.
“You saw effect that approach had on Carl Froch as he stayed away from his home comfortsin Sheffield for George Groves rematch, and I think you will see something like that in me on June 27.”
Sparring
Burns trains alongside fellow lightweights Kevin Mitchell, who he defeated in 2012, Olympic champion Luke Campbell and former European junior champion Martin J. Ward.
“There’s top, top class sparring on tap at Tony’s gym,” added Burns. “I was sparring with Kevin in the build-up to his fight with Ghlislain Maduma on the Froch vs Groves bill and also with Martin who was a float on that card. I am also due to start some work with Luke which is fantastic as he’s an incredible talent.
“There are some huge fights out there for me. My last 10 fights have been for world titles and I am at home in the elite so I want to get back there as soon as possible.
“Zlaticanin is unbeaten and will have some ambitions of his own, but I want my next fight to be for a world title and have to put on a great show to earn that.”
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