According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBO Lightweight champion Ricky Burns has left promoter Frank Warren in favor Matchroom Sport
“I’m delighted that my future has been resolved, and I’m really looking forward to the next chapter of my career,” Burns said. “It’s been a frustrating time since the Kevin Mitchell win in September, but now I’m just focused on May 11 and putting in a great performance.
“I would love it to be in Glasgow. My last two fights were there, and the atmosphere was just electric. I’ve got great fans in Scotland, and it means a lot to box in front of them.”
“I’m delighted to welcome the WBO lightweight world champion Ricky Burns to the team,” said Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn. “Ricky is an outstanding fighter and a hugely popular sporting figure in Scotland. We are looking forward to a massive show on May 11 in Scotland on Sky Sports [the United Kingdom subscription sports network with which Hearn has an exclusive deal] as we begin our journey with Ricky.”
“Since being promoted and managed by Frank Warren, Ricky Burns has earned just approaching three-quarters of a million pounds and has had seven world title fights in just over two years,” Richard Maynard, Warren’s publicist, said in a statement on Warren’s behalf. “Ricky Burns is under binding promotional and management contracts. Following the announcement by Eddie Hearn that Ricky Burns has signed with him, W. Promotions Limited [Warren’s company] and Frank Warren are suing Burns for substantial damages.”
“He is not under contract because Burns has terminated this agreement,” Hearn said. “If Frank wishes to argue whether Ricky has grounds to terminate, then, no doubt, this will be discussed in a court of law. It’s very similar to what just happened with Tony Bellew.”
