Gallagher Likens Prospect Burton To Tommy Hearns

“He’s the hardest puncher I’ve ever come across.”

High praise indeed from one of Britain’s leading trainers whose stable includes names such as Quigg, Crolla and Smith.

Joe Gallagher’s elite squad of British fighters also contains the precocious talent of Hosea “The Hammer” Burton.

Earlier this month, “The Hammer” trounced Viktor Tzonev in the first round of his professional debut. His opponent felt the full force of a right hand that is starting to make some shockwaves in the sport.

“If you think he hits hard now, wait a year or two till he’s fully developed,” added Gallagher. “Hosea boxed really well the other day (in Bolton) and we’re all very happy with the kid. He’s been with me since he was 11-years old and he was the last of mine to turn professional.

“It’s great to see how everyone in the gym has gone on and Hosea looked up to all of them. He was an outstanding amateur who always went about his work really well but he kept mithering me to turn pro.”
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A former ABA champion, Burton now goes on to his second professional fight at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on April 14th as part of the undercard to Tony Bellew vs Danny McIntosh, and Gallagher is in no way concerned about his charge fighting in front of the Sky television cameras.

“Scotty Cardle (also on the Liverpool bill) once told me that pressure is for tyres. Hosea will relish it,” said the 43-year old when asked if the baby of his gym might be fazed by it all.

“I tell my fighters not to go and chase the dollar and be on TV. And that’s partly why we went with Dave Coldwell. He puts on these great small hall shows that might not be on telly but they are television worthy.

“Burtons’ a little Tommy Hearns and at the moment we’re taking baby steps with him. By the end of the year I’d expect him to be 6-0 or 7-0 and then in two years time 12-0 or 13-0. By then he’ll be fully developed and fighting for titles.”

I did ask Gallagher however that the more “The Hammer” keeps knocking his opponents out with such devastation, the more the public will clamour to see him in events equally as big as ‘The Big Bang’ next month in Liverpool.

“Of course they’ll want to see more of him, that’s only natural. But first I want to see him come through a fight after withstanding punishment.”

Hosea Burton’s second professional contest is part of a terrific night’s boxing headlined by the British light heavyweight title clash between Tony Bellew and Danny McIntosh.

The card also features 50-50 fights involving Matty Clarkson against Jeff Evans and John Watson against Jason Cook. As well as that we also have the return of hard hitting welterweight Mark Thompson.

David Coldwell in association with Eddie Hearn present ‘The Big Bang’ which is live and exclusive on Sky Sports HD on Saturday, 14th April.Tickets are priced at £30, £40, £60, £80, VIP tickets £150 and all available from at the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400 and

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