Boxing Preview: Ricky Burns vs. Andreas Evensen For WBO Title

On Saturday, WBO super feather boss Ricky Burns puts his title on the line for the first time, meeting Andreas Evensen at Braehead Arena in Glasgow, Scotland.

Burns, 29-2 (7), had labored at domestic level for years, losing a European, British and Commonwealth title tilt to Alex Arthur in 2006 and a British title opportunity against Carl Johanneson in 2007.

The lanky Scot finally had a breakthrough with a Commonwealth title win in 2008, decisioning Osumanu Akaba, defending the crown three times before making an enormous leap up in competition to challenge WBO champion Roman Martinez this past September.

Burns was a genuine longshot to unseat the undefeated Puerto Rican but pulled off a career best performance to come from behind and simply outfight Martinez via a close unanimous decision shocker.

Facing Burns is Colombian born Norwegian stylist Andreas Evensen, 13-1 (5).

Evensen lost to future WBC super feather title challenger Benoit Gaudet in 2007 but by this year had turned things around, defeating Peesaddaeng Kiatsakthanee in March for the WBO Intercontinental featherweight strap and defending it against Jose Saez in May.

But Evensen is a featherweight, five inches shorter than Burns and infinitely less experienced than the champion. It’s difficult to see how he could knock off Burns, but then again, that’s exactly what was said of Burns’ own chances against Martinez.

The undercard sees ex-British feather beltholder Paul Appleby, 16-1 (11), clash with Ghanaian slugger Joseph Laryea, 13-4 (11), for the vacant WBO Intercontinental super feather title.

Former WBO Interim super feather champion Alex Arthur, 28-3 (20), continues his comeback as a light welter, facing British masters titlist Jay Morris, 13-16-1 (4), over eight rounds.