On Saturday, May 28, 2016, Ricky Burns took on Michele Di Rocco with the vacant WBA world Super Lightweight title on the line.
The bout, which took place at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland was Burns’ chance to make history as the first Scot to win world titles at three different weights.
Burns took advantage of the opportunity at hand and delivered an eighth-round stoppage to make history.
Only three British fighters have won three titles at different weights. Burns joins legends Bob Fitzsimmons and Duke McKenzie.
The loss was Di Rocco’s second of his career and the first since September 2007.
Spurred on by the hometown faithful, Burns piled on the pressure early on as he had Di Rocco reeling with big right hands in Round 1.
Di Rocco was dropped in Round 3 and eventually was dropped a second time in Round 8 before the fight came to a halt.
“When the fight was stopped I could feel myself welling up,” said Burns (via Sky Sports).
At 33, Burns has a lot of options in front. He joins a young crop of champions at 140 pounds including Viktor Postol and Terence Crawford, who Burns already lost to in March of 2014.
“I’m going on holiday next week but I’ll be chasing my team because there are some big fights out there for me now,” said Burns.
