Hosea Burton feels he may blitz Ricards Bolotniks in the opening round of their Golden Contract 175lbs semi-final in Riga, Latvia, on September 26.
Former British champion Burton (25-1, 11 KOs) didn’t get to choose his opponent in last week’s semi-final draw after the Golden Ball was drawn by German Serge Michel who opted to face Cumbria’s Liam Conroy in the UK on September 30.
That left Burton with a potentially daunting trip to Riga, but the Mancunian is taking it all in his stride. He feels the aggressive style of Latvian Bolotniks (16-5-1, 7 KOs) could play into his hands.
“Me and Bolotniks would have made a good final, but it’s a shame he’s got to go out in the semi-finals. I’m happy to know who I’m fighting,” said Burton.
“Unless I picked the Golden Ball, I knew nobody would pick me and that I would have to go to Latvia. It being over there won’t make a difference for either of us, as nobody is going to get any help off anybody.
“It’s going to be an exciting fight. I know Bolotniks will come running forward, but the question is whether he will get through the first round. If he comes in with no respect, he will pay for it big time.”
Main image: Burton (left) and Bolotniks measure up. Photo: MTK Global.