IF Josh Taylor had needed a replacement for his May 18 world title fight with Ivan Baranchyk, Ricky Burns would have been willing to step in – for the right price.
“We were negotiating,” his manager Charlie Sims told Boxing News. “Financially it has to make sense but that fight was really touch and go, we were nearly there, but anyway it seems like another opportunity has arisen.”
It would have required Burns to move up above lightweight, his more natural division. But it appears that the Scotsman will have options at 135lbs. “Lee Selby’s name’s been put about. We’re negotiating at the moment,” Sims said. “It’s just about when and where it’s going to happen, both fighters are quite happy to fight each other. Hopefully we can do that as some sort of eliminator, maybe for the IBF.”
“I think it make sense to have it in Glasgow, Ricky is still a big name, a big draw, sells out the Hydro up there,” he continued. “Lee Selby’s a credible opponent, he’s a former world champion, he’s obviously moved up two weights but I think those two will have a really, really good fight.
“Whoever wins that is going to go on to get a shot at the world title so it’s a big fight.”
Burns is eager to work his way towards another world title fight, with IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey his target. Sims said, “He’s very confident fighting Commey, he’s sparred many, many rounds with him. He sparred with him a lot when he was in London so he wants that fight.”
