Ricky Burns' manager and trainer at odds on eve of title defence

Alex Morrison, manager of WBO super-featherweight champion Ricky Burns, has issued a statement distancing himself from comments reportedly made by Ricky’s trainer Billy Nelson claiming that Ricky was only two fights away from being the best fighter that Scotland has ever had.

The timing of the statement does seem a bit odd given that it has been released little more than 48 hours away from Ricky’s second defence of his title against Ghanaian Joesph Laryea.

The statement reads: “I, Alex Morrison, manager of WBO super-featherweight champion Ricky Burns, wish to disassociate myself from recent comments in the media by Ricky’s trainer, Billy Nelson, in which he claimed Ricky is two fights away from becoming Scotland’s best-ever boxer.

“Ricky will be happy that he is being compared to former champions like Jim Watt, Ken Buchanan and Scott Harrison but will be very unhappy that anyone working closely with him has said he is, or even close to becoming, Scotland’s best ever-boxer.

“What about Peter Keenan? He never won a world title because he had fallen out with his manager, Tommy Gilmour Senior, weeks prior to his world title fight.

“Ricky has a lot to live up to and I am sure he will do so. However, he does not need pressure like this put upon him.

“My ambition for Ricky is that he leaves the ring like Jim Watt did, with his health, money, popularity and looks intact. Billy Nelson has done a terrific job with Ricky and has improved him to different levels.

“But he should remember that is where his role ends and let Ricky do his talking in the ring.”