Ross Burkinshaw steps in to Commonwealth title fight after Martin Ward withdraws

Ross Burkinshaw

FORMER British title challenger Ross Burkinshaw gets an unexpected but welcome return to the big time on Saturday September 6 when he faces Jason Cunningham for the Commonwealth bantamweight title at the Doncaster Dome.

In a terrific all-Yorkshire battle, Sheffieldโ€™s Burkinshaw steps in against home-town man Cunningham after original opponent, and former champion, Martin Ward was forced to withdraw at late notice with a chest infection.

โ€œIโ€™m delighted to get Ross this opportunity,โ€ explained promoter, and Burkinshawโ€™s manager, Dennis Hobson.ย  โ€œHe has been working really hard with trainer Ryan Rhodes and is looking in fantastic shape.

โ€œItโ€™s unfortunate that Martin had to pull out, but heโ€™s been chivalrous and vacated his title with the guarantee that heโ€™ll face the winner between Ross and Jason.

โ€œThis is a fantastic fight.ย  I think Jason will be the favourite heading into the contest but Ross knows this is his big chance to get back into the mix.โ€

Cunningham is undefeated in 12, with four KOs, and has picked up rave reviews since turning over in 2011.ย  The 24-year-old was confident of causing an upset against Ward, and will be sure he can do a number on Burkinshaw.

Ross, who lost a British super-flyweight challenge to Bristolโ€™s Lee Haskins in 2009, is the more experienced man and has been in terrific form, winning his last three fights โ€“ two by KO โ€“ since teaming up with Rhodes.

โ€œIn 20 years of boxing this opportunity has come at the best time for me,โ€ said Burkinshaw.ย  โ€œIโ€™ve never felt better.ย  Iโ€™m in the best shape of my life and I train like every fight is a world title.

โ€œI donโ€™t know much about Jason, except that heโ€™s a good kid.ย  But heโ€™s never been in with Rossโ€™ The Bossโ€™ and Iโ€™m going there to win.โ€

โ€œThis is Jasonโ€™s toughest fight yet,โ€ stated Cunninghamโ€™s trainer and manager, Steffy Bull.ย  โ€œRoss has only lost to the best and heโ€™s in great form since training with Ryan.

โ€œI think itโ€™s 50-50 and will be a top fight, but Iโ€™m backing my man Jason to come through.ย  I know Ross and Ryan well and am looking forward to sharing a drink with them afterwards.

โ€œThe show is close to a sell-out but there should be a few tickets left direct from the Dome.โ€

For previews of the weekend’s big fights, including Carl Frampton’s world title challenge, don’t miss this week’s Boxing News

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