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Former super featherweight and lightweight titlist Ricky Burns has split with trainer Billy Nelson following a rather one-sided loss to Terence Crawford on March 1, and Tony Sims will get the first opportunity to take over for Nelson, though it's not certain that he will be Burns' next trainer.
The Scottish veteran is going to work with Sims, and if he's comfortable with the fit, Sims will get the job. But if the two don't mesh, then Burns also reportedly has offers from Chris Sanigar and Joe Gallagher, as well, so he's got no shortage of high-level options for his new chief second.
Burns (36-3-1, 11 KO) and Nelson parted on amicable terms, according to Nelson. The 30-year-old "Rickster" has struggled in each of his last three fights, needing a big rally to overcome Chelo Gonzalez in May 2013, followed by a very fortunate draw against Ray Beltran in September, which saw Beltran break Burns' jaw. Many felt the fighter appeared tentative against Crawford, who handed Burns his first defeat since 2007.