Source: Team_Talk
Celtic backing means a lot - Burns
Ricky Burns is expecting a 'good luck' phonecall from Celtic manager Neil Lennon ahead of Saturday night's world title bout in Glasgow.[LNB] The Coatbridge fighter has already received a signed football top from the Hoops team and has been told he can expect to hear from the boss himself as he prepares for one of the biggest nights of his career.[LNB]Burns will challenge Roman Martinez for the WBO world super-featherweight title at the Kelvin Hall and is thrilled with the backing he has received ahead of the clash.[LNB]He said: "I've never met Neil Lennon but one of my friends is friendly with him and apparently he has given Neil my number.[LNB]"Neil said he was going to give me a phone before the fight to wish me all the best so I hope he does and I'm looking forward to getting the chance to speak to the man himself.[LNB]"I got a 'good luck' top from all the Celtic players. I'm going to get it framed and it's definitely one for the living room.[LNB]"I want to say a big thanks to all the lads in the Celtic team for doing it for me - it's much appreciated."[LNB]Both fighters made the weight at today's weigh-in at a Glasgow hotel.[LNB]They then squared up for the cameras, with Martinez attempting to crank up the heat by running his finger across his throat in a slashing motion.[LNB]But Burns was neither surprised nor fazed by the act, insisting: "I was waiting for it.[LNB]"When I watched his last few fights, when he gets into the ring and they announce his name, he always does it then as well.[LNB]"I think it's just one of his trademarks in the build-up to the fights.[LNB]"I just laughed it off - he won't be doing anything like that once we are in that ring.[LNB]"We made the weight perfectly for the fight and that's the hard part over so it's party time tomorrow night."[LNB]With Burns facing the scales this afternoon, he was forced to pull out of best man duties at his brother's wedding - but says his family are well aware of the importance of the fight.[LNB]"My brother is actually in the chapel getting married just now," he said.[LNB]"But they understand that it's a big fight for me.[LNB]"I had to pull out of being best man because the day of the weigh-in is the worst bit about it.[LNB]"I didn't want any more stress than there already was on me so I stepped down.[LNB]"My other brother was meant to be best man but he got accepted for a football scholarship in America so he is over there and has missed the wedding as well.[LNB]"A couple of his pals stood in and they all understand the situation."
