Burns vs Beltran for WBO Lightweight Title with postscript
August 21, 2013
On Saturday afternoon, September 7, Ricky Burns (36-2, 11 KO’s) will defend his WBO Lightweight Title against Raymundo Beltran (28-6, 17 KO’s) live on WealthTV and www.wealthtv.com.
Raymundo Beltran
The action begins at 1:30 Pacific time. Why all the interest in Mr. Burns? You should get to know this gent because he’s a really like able guy. The former WBO Super Featherweight and now WBO Lightweight World Champion has virtually no enemies. Even his past, present and future opponents like him.
Alias: Ricky “The Rickster” Burns
Born: 1983-04-13 (Age: 30)
Birthplace: Bellshill, Scotland, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom
Hometown: Coatbridge, Scotland, United Kingdom
Stance: Orthodox Height: 5′ 10″/ 178cm
Reach: 70″/ 178cm
Burns’ two losses: a 12 round unanimous decision loss to Carl Johanneson on February 9, 2007 at the Town Hall in Leeds, Yorkshire and another resounding 12 round unanimous decision loss to Alex Arthur at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Here is an interview with Burns’ promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport as he gives us his breakdown of the upcoming fight.
Ricky Burns (R) in action against Jose Gonzalez during their World WBO Lightweight Championship bout at Emirates Arena on May 11, 2013 in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images
At the conclusion of their bout, Ricky Burns is shown celebrating his victory over Jose Gonzalez, May 11, 2013 in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Burns celebrates his victory over Kevin Mitchell after their fight at SECC on September 22, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images
You have to be a likeable guy if your opponent gives you a kiss after you beat him up. Ricky Burns is shown here celebrating his victory over Kevin Mitchell after the WBO World Lightweight Championship bout on September 22, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Ricky Burns of Scotland defeats Paulus Moses of Namibia to retain his WBO world title at the Braehead Arena, March 10, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Rob Casey/Getty Images
Postscript:
Burns keeps title with disputed draw against Beltran
SAN DIEGO (September 7, 2013)- Ricky Burns was oh, so fortunate to keep his WBO Lightweight championship after a 12 round split decision draw versus Raymundo Beltran at the Scottish Exhibition Centre in Glasgow, Scotland
As reported, the fight was televised LIVE in the United States on AWE (formerly Wealth TV) and www.awetv.com.
Burns controlled the first round with his jab and working the body. By round’s two and three, he began to find his rhythm by landing the hard shots to the body. Then, in round four, Beltran rocked Burns with a solid left hook and continued to press Burns against the ropes.
In round eight, Beltran dropped Burns with another crushing left hook and before you knew it Burns was again being pummeled against the ropes. Still, Burns was able to recover in spots but he had that look of frustration on his face. He just couldn’t keep Beltran off of him. Down the stretch, the two men fought it out with championship courage with Burns being slightly more active. Still, it wasn’t enough to overcome Beltran’s insurmountable point lead.
According to the scoring, Burns had done just enough to back his way into a draw. U. S. Judge Carlos Ortiz had it 115-112 for Burns; Andre Van Grootenbruel of Belgium had it 115-113 for Beltran while the British judge Ritchie Davies scored the bout even at 114-114.
In the post-fight press conference, it was learned Burns (now 36-2-1) from Scotland had suffered a severely injured jaw in round two. The record of the disappointed Beltran from North Hollywood, CA by way of Los Mochis, Mexico, now goes to (28-6-1).
“First and foremost it was an excellent fight,” said AWE CEO Charles Herring after the fight. “The one silver lining out of all of this is the fact that so many fans were able to witness the controversial decision on AWE. In past years, fights like this would often fly under the radar. And as witnessed, we know Ray Beltran won this fight. With so many boxing fans watching, it is more likely we will have a rematch.”
Photos from the fight:
How about a left hook sandwich? Raymundo Beltran (l) has Ricky Burns (r) eat some of his glove during their WBO World Lightweight Title bout, September 7, 2013 in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Ray Beltran (r) has Ricky Burns backed up against the ropes and threads a straight right between his gloves. Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Ricky Burns goes down during his WBO World Lightweight Title bout on September 7, 2013 in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Referee Phil Edwards continues with his 10 count after Ricky Burns was knocked down by Raymundo Beltran during his WBO World Lightweight Title defense, “7, 8, 8½”. Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Ricky Burns (l) retains his WBO World Lightweight Title after the bout with Raymundo Beltran (r) was declared a draw on September 7, 2013 in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images
