Ricky Burns retained his WBO Featherweight title at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow tonight with a unanimous points win over Colombian, Andreas Evensen.
5’5 challenger, Evensen, residing in Norway and giving away 5 inches in height, was officially knocked down within 12 seconds of the bout by a missed right hook by Burns that appeared to graze the top of his head.
Evensen rose quickly and unhurt, resulting in a flash knockdown and Burns looked in total control as he took his time to pick his shots.
Things quickly became difficult for the WBO champion as Evensen began making things difficult, however, Burns looked unfazed at this point.
In round 4 Burns, residing in Coatbridge, found himself against the ropes, holding onto Evensen, appearing uncomfortable with the pressure put onto him.
Burns was being caught with eye catching clean shots in the 7th round that left him looking bemused by the Colombian’s speed and in and out approach.
Evensen was making Ricky appear much slower than him in the 8th as he continued to hit him with clean shots. Burns fired back but his punches appeared ineffective.
It was Ricky’s turn to catch Evensen with good shots in the 11th as he caught him with an uppercut and a right hook combination that sent Evensen reeling back but he was able to quickly recover to keep firing back.
Burns rode out the 12th and final round to win the bout by scores of 119-108 on two judges scorecards and 118-109 on the other.
Overall, it was a very difficult night for Ricky Burns, a fight in which he was not made to look his best, thanks to the galiant efforts of Andreas Evensen.
However, Burns showed the grit and determination that he displayed against Roman Martinez to win the title in order to make a successful first defense.
I am unaware of anybody who expects Burns to have an extensive reign as WBO champion, and every successful defense he comes through should be considered as icing on the cake.
