Ricky Burns vs Adrien Broner Talks Ongoing, But Burns Wants Fana

There have been strong talks of a possible Ricky Burns vs Adrien Broner fight in November, possibly in the U.S., and Frank Warren and Golden Boy Promotions are still discussing that. But the Glasgow Evening News reports that Warren is also still worried about giving Burns his wish, which is to fight Mzonke Fana for the vacant Ring Magazine world championship.

Why Burns (32-2, 9 KO) and Warren are so concerned with Fana is easy to understand, but also just feels like a fruitless venture. Fana (30-4, 12 KO) hasn't fought since picking up the vacant IBF super featherweight belt against Cassius Baloyi on September 1, 2010, and has scrapped a couple of dates since then, including a fight with Argenis Mendez. Earlier this year, Warren dealt with Juergen Braehmer, who shocked no one by pulling out of a fight with Nathan Cleverly late, and this situation sort of reminds me of that. Even if they did sign a Burns vs Fana fight, what are they chances it actually happens?

In the meantime, you have Cincinnati's Broner (21-0, 17 KO), a rising American star. He's the WBO mandatory, and there's no doubt he wants the fight, as there is with Fana. Burns may simply have to accept a reality where he has to fight Broner, and even though it can be called unfortunate, he will not be fighting Mzonke Fana.

One date that has been floated for a Burns vs Broner fight is November 5, when Showtime has Lucian Bute vs Glen Johnson. Top Rank was also lined up to have Nonito Donaire on HBO that night, but they moved that fight up to an October 22 date so as to not go head-to-head with Bute and Interbox, with whom they have a strong relationship. That doesn't mean Golden Boy wouldn't take the date, of course, but I would say it seems unlikely that it will happen that fight.