By Phil Goodlad

Burns put up an incredible fight to win the title in September

WBO super-featherweight champion Ricky Burns is not troubled by the fact he has not yet been able to properly study his next opponent.

The Scot takes on Norwegian-based Colombian Andreas Evensen at Glasgow's Braehead Arena on 4 December in the first defence of his title.

"All I've seen is a couple of clips on YouTube," said Burns, who took the crown from Roman Martinez in September.

"But it's okay as my trainer organises the tactics and tells me what to do."

Having originally said he would study DVD footage of Evensen as part of his preparations, Burns is training without a film show.

Evensen has won his last five fights by knockout, boasts a 13-1 record, and is seen as a stiff test for the new champion.

But Burns says he is preparing for the fight in the same way as he has done throughout his career.

"I'm training like a challenger for this fight," explained the Coatbridge boxer. "I put my heart and soul into training, so come fight night there is nowhere to hide.

"We're struggling to get tapes on him and when you look at Colombian fighters, all you have to do is look at Breidis Prescott and what happened to Amir Khan.

"I can't afford any slip-ups.

"I have great respect for anybody that steps into the ring. He has knocked out his last five on the trot so his confidence will be sky high as well."

He may only have been a world champion for six weeks but already life has changed for Burns.

"People now notice me a lot more and not just in Coatbridge," he said. "I get embarrassed with all the recognition. The week after the fight I was out walking the dog and it (becoming world champion) just hit me."

Promoter Frank Warren believes Braehead Arena will be a sell-out for the fight, with Alex Arthur, who once held the belt now in Burns' possession, and rising star Paul Appleby on the undercard.

"You can now see strength and depth in Scottish boxing," said Warren.

"Ricky Burns is spearheading it, Appleby is going places and Arthur is coming back. We would like to do four shows a year in Scotland and eventually take Ricky into an even bigger arena like a football stadium"

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