FEW sportsmen are as meticulous as boxers. When it comes to preparation, the lonely, paranoid days that proceed the build-up to a big fight are rarely empty even if stomachs are. Videos are pored over for potential signs of weakness in future opponents, training regimes that would embarrass hardened SAS veterans are embarked upon and the dietary habits of a squirrel are adopted.
Sometimes, though, a kernel can slip through the net and when it is discovered it can bring with it a dawning realisation that it has the potential to change destiny. And that is why a broad smile broke out across Michele di Rocco’s face after learning that Ricky Burns broke his jaw two and half years ago against Raymundo Beltran as the Scot defended his WBO world lightweight title.
“I didn’t know that,” said di Rocco, a big grin spreading across his face. “Now I will try to hit him there,” added the Italian playfully. Joking aside, one suspects the European champion will not stand on ceremony if given the invitation by Burns to pick his punch.
“I have waited a long time for a world title belt because some big fights fell through. But, as European champion, your goal is always the world title,” said the 34-year-old. “The aim was always to be European champion for two years, then use that as a way to build up to a world title. Since I won the European title, it has now been three years. So I am ready for this. I feel like I’ve been waiting for it all my life.”
Burns will join Bob Fitzsimmons and Duke Mackenzie as only the third British boxer to win world titles at three weights should he overcome di Rocco when the pair square up for their WBA Super lightweight title fight at the SSE Hydro on Saturday.
Di Rocco, though, is confident that he has the necessary power and big-fight experience to mitigate against Burns’s 10 bouts at this level.
“This is my chance, my opportunity to go and make something happen. It is a chance I cannot afford to slip away. This is a fight I have to win - not just for my career but for my life.
“Yes, of course, Ricky has much more experience in world title fights than me. Yes, he is more experienced, I cannot pretend he isn’t. No problem. I’ve come here to Scotland with 42 fights behind me. I’ve fought at European level against very good opposition.”
Backed by a home crowd of 8000 and equipped with considerable world title knowhow, Burns has been made the 2/5 favourite by bookies. A more telling indicator might be their respective fortunes against Alexandre Lepelley - where Burns outpointed the Frenchman, di Rocco stopped him in a title fight.
He was dismissive of the comparison. “That doesn’t give us much of a clue because Ricky fought Lepelley in an eight-round fight,” he said. “I fought him for a title. So the motivation was different. But I hope Ricky will go down just like Lepelley did.”
Certainly the Italian, who has suffered just one defeat in 42 fights, will be no pushover and is unfazed by the prospect of walking out in front of a raucous Glasgow support.
“Yes, of course, I will be bigger. And yes, I expect to be able to stop Ricky because I will have more power. He’s a great fighter but I will be more powerful.
“I think Ricky, because he’s coming from a lighter weight class, has his own problems. I am not worried about the atmosphere, not at all. It’s no problem. You have to remember that I have a lot of international experience as an amateur. I’m used to fighting in front of big crowds away from home, with all of the fans against me.
"So let’s not worry about that. I’m sure the Glasgow crowd will be loud and passionate. But it’s not the coliseum."
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