Josh Burke is out to settle an old score
Wolverhampton's Josh Burke will be out to settle an old score when he undertakes a revenge mission in Plymouth on Saturday night.
Burke travels to take on old amateur rival Courtney Richards hoping to make it two wins out of two since turning pro,
The two will ditch the vest and headguard for a six-rounder at the Guildhall, with the Black Country cruiserweight stepping into the lion's' den.
The 29-year-old steps up to six threes having only first punched for pay last October, outpointing Lee Jones in the Holte Suite at Aston Villa Football Club.
And Burke, who lost to Richards in the unpaid ranks, is hoping to turn the tables and hand the Devon fighter defeat on his home turf.
He said: "When I lost to him in the amateurs, it was a very tight contest and it could have gone either way at the end.
"I am training extra hard to ensure I turn the earlier defeat around. I have much more experience now and I am sure we will both be bringing more to the table. It will definitely be a great fight.
"I have fought in Plymouth before as an amateur, so it isn't new territory. I am looking forward to getting back in the ring and, hopefully, it will be a sell-out crowd.
"It's a challenge to be travelling so far away from home, but I have done it before. I will be absolutely fine, I'm buzzing to get going and get another win on my record.
" I have taken a while to turn pro, but I always aimed to do it eventually. I had a few amateur fights to make sure I was ready and now I am raring to go."
Richards, the more experienced man with 11 pro contests on his record, insists he will do a double and prove to be Burke's nemesis.
He smiled: "I get on well with Josh. He's a nice lad and we are friendly outside the ring, but I know he will want to take my head off!
"He's tall, wiry, strong, and was suited to the pro style when we boxed as amateurs. I hear he has progressed well as a pro, so it will be a close fight.
"I'm expecting an absolute battle because of my style. Many fighters say 'expect a war,' but they like to ping around the ring and pot around.
"My style forces anyone to stand there and fight. I can stand there and trade and take their best shots, so I know Josh won't be able to knock me out.
"He's a decent boxer, so I'm guessing his plan will be to try and outpoint me, but he'll be sucked into my fight. That's what I want. I can't wait for Saturday; it will be explosive!"
