Burns – Vazquez unification bout set for March 16th

WBO Lightweight champion Ricky Burns will take on IBF champ Miguel Vazquez on March 16th according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

The card will take place at Wembley Arena in London and also include light heavyweight titleholder Nathan Cleverly in a mandatory defense against Robin Krasniqi.

“It’s the best of Britain all in one night of big fights,” said promoter Frank Warren. “Fans have got two of our very best world champions, Burns and Cleverly, in action with Burns in a huge unification clash against Vazquez, while Cleverly faces a hard defense against Krasniqi. Groves has the chance to add the European title to his collection and has a tough fight against Ndiaye, while Chisora is reapplying for his license.”

“This is a dream come true for me,” said Burns, who held a junior lightweight title before vacating to move up in weight. “Any boxer would be happy winning two world titles at two weights and retire, but for me, I want to continue winning more world titles, unifying them and stepping up the weight divisions. Vazquez is a top fighter and one that I’ve been after a long time so I’m over the moon that it’s happening.”

“We’re really excited about getting this fight,” said Sean Gibbons of Zanfer Promotions, which promotes Vazquez. “Adrien Broner is running from us because of our style. We’re not the most exciting at times but we are the No. 1 lightweight in the world. We’ve proven it. We took the Burns fight because we couldn’t get Broner. So since we couldn’t get Broner, we’ll take the man Broner wanted, Burns. And when we beat Burns decisively, we hope Broner quits talking and fights the best lightweight in the world.

“Burns is a good, solid fighter and a good test, and going to England is not an easy place to win, but Miguel Vazquez is a master boxer and has the style to beat anyone in the world at lightweight.”

“Krasniqi will be a hard defense and he’s a fighter not to be underestimated,” Cleverly said. “I’ve got to beat him and in style to keep the heat on for a unification fight against (Tavoris) Cloud, (Chad) Dawson or (Beibut) Shumenov. Every fight is crucial for me, but there is extra pressure on this one to perform, which I love, because I fight best when the pressure’s on.”

“I’ve won the British and Commonwealth titles and the European is the next step for me towards the world title,” Groves said. “The guy (Ndiaye) is tough and awkward. James DeGale didn’t want to fight him, but I’ve got the tools to beat him. It’s a great show to be on alongside Cleverly, Burns and Chisora and it will be a fantastic night in London.”