'Katsidis is too big a jump for Burns' says Graham Earl

By Imran Azam: When wondering who to ask in the boxing fraternity about Ricky Burns' clash with Michael Kastsidis, one need look no further than Graham Earl (pictured).

The Englishman has shared the ring with both the Scotsman and Australian and plans to be at ringside at Wembley Arena on November 5 when two of his former rivals meet for the interim WBO lightweight title.

The former British and Commonwealth lightweight champion is very forthright with his views.

“Katsidis is there for the taking but I don’t believe Ricky has the power to halt him. I consider Ricky to be a friend. He is a lovely guy who has never ducked anyone. However he has not established himself at his own division (super-featherweight) and its one thing moving up to lightweight and another thing going straight into a fight with a world class boxer like Michael Katsidis. I just feel it is too big a jump for Ricky.”

It was Burns who inflicted Earl’s first professional defeat in 2005. Two years later, Earl was stopped by Katsidis in a brutal contest that lasted five rounds. Since then a rematch has failed to materialise with 'The Duke' now acting as a promoter.

Born in Toowoomba, Queensland, Katsidis (who is of Greek origin) has lost two of his last three contests. He has come u short in world title challenges to both Juan Manuel Marquez and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero. Burns will aim to deprive Katisidis of a hat trick of wins over British boxers.

However, Earl believes the former WBO super-featherweight world champion will struggle to contain his opponent’s aggressive fighting style. He added: “My heart says Ricky but my head says Michael. Ricky will have to box him for 12 rounds and keep him on the outside. But even if the fight took place on a football pitch Katsidis has the ability to hunt you down and get you involved in a brawl."He is a warrior. He hits with venom and I can’t see Ricky holding him off.”