Walsh defeated Maxwell Awuku to claim the Commonwealth crown

Norfolk's Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Liam Walsh insists he is not angling for a fight with WBO world champion Ricky Burns.

Walsh, 24, will defend his crown against Jon Kays in Wigan on 19 March.

But the Cromer fighter told BBC Radio Norfolk he does not expect to use the bout as a springboard to face 27-year-old Scot Burns.

"I think we've got to be realistic, this is only my 11th fight, I've only had one 12-rounder," he said.

"I've got a lot of respect for Ricky and he's world champion, but if the opportunity came along I'd snatch it, who wouldn't?

"But let's be real, I'd like to go through the right way, get my fights behind me and get my 12-rounders behind me.

"We can't be disrespectful to Ricky and be calling him out."

Walsh claimed the Commonwealth title in a clash with Ghana's Maxwell Awuku in October last year, a month after Burns had vacated the crown.

And now he defends the honour, as well as his unbeaten record, against 27-year-old Lancastrian Kays in Greater Manchester later this month.

"I'm quite excited about it. I'm going into his back garden to defend my title and sometimes you have to do that," he added.

"It will make me a better fighter to go away and be booed, it will be a different experience.

"He's apparently a very tidy boxer. I don't think the people he's been fighting have been brilliant to be honest with you.

"But with my record you could say the same apart from the African I beat last time out."

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