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Ray Beltran: Behind Enemy Lines
FEATURED INTERVIEW
Anson Wainwright
Anson Wainwright
RingMagazine.com
Ray Beltran: Behind Enemy Lines
RICKY BURNS - September 7, 2013, Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow, Scotland • Titles: WBO lightweight

Ray Beltran had endured a difficult career, often on the wrong side of decision on the road as the away fighter. However, he had found a home for himself at the Wild Card, Hollywood, working as a regular sparring partner for boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Those experiences helped improve Beltran (28-6, 17 KOs) tenfold. The 32-year-old was on a three-fight win streak after a controversial ten-round decision defeat to then-unbeaten Luis Ramos Jr, when offered a shot at WBO lightweight titlist Ricky Burns in Scotland.

For his part, Burns (36-2, 11 KOs) had also come from the boxing wilderness. He was three years removed from claiming the WBO junior lightweight title with an off the canvas upset win over Roman Martinez before going on to make three defences.

Burns then jumped to lightweight where he became a two-weight world champion by first annexing the WBO Interim title from marauding Michael Katsidis and then settling in as the WBO titleholder with three subsequent defenses, including a very impressive stoppage over Kevin Mitchell (TKO 4).

"We had a few months' notice about [the] Burns fight," Beltran told The Ring. "It was 10-weeks training camp for Burns fight.

"They didn't think I was capable of winning. They took it as a tune-up fight, it was a voluntary defense for him."

Beltran and his team, including head-trainer Pepe Reilly, travelled from Los Angeles to New York, and on to London before finally arriving in Glasgow two-weeks before the fight to allow them time to acclimatize.

"I remember Ricky Burns manager, [Alex Morrison,] was really nice to us," recalled Beltran, who was a 7/2 underdog. "We were treated well; people were respectful to us in Scotland.




"We stayed focused on the fight. We took time to get to know the area, we walked around. It was a nice hotel. We also went to Edinburgh on a train and went to the castle. People didn't really know me; I never had a big fight before."

The two fighters were cordial at the press conference and weigh-in.

"It was respectful, I've never been disrespectful to my opponent and Ricky was respectful too," he said. "It was a good experience to hype the fight. People were nice but they told me to my face, 'We're here for Ricky but we want to wish you good luck.' I appreciate and respect that.

"We both made weight there was no issues, everything was fine."

However, things were a little more edgy moments before of the fight began.

"What I remember about the fight the most was that we were waiting right at the entrance to the audience and [they were] all were against us telling us we were going to get smashed - very intense," said Beltran, who was public enemy No. 1, in front of 7,000 hostile fans. "I feel like it was on purpose. Boxing is mental and the people know the game.

"I believe they stopped us at the entrance by the crowd for a long time, it was very intense, everyone against me, screaming. They were maybe trying to intimidate me because I was never in a big event like that. My coaches were a little bit nervous, but I wasn't, it just hyped me up, more motivated, 'We'll see when I walk out of this ring.' That was my goal."

Beltran went on to give Burns hell, not only dropping the Scottish fighter but also breaking his jaw. However, the Mexican is resolute in his affirmation of when the injury happened.




"I broke Ricky's jaw not in the second or third round like they said, I think they tried to make him look strong [by fighting with a broken jaw] and I respect Ricky but I'm pretty sure I broke his jaw in the ninth round - I felt it," said Beltran. "I saw a change. I felt he was holding too much."

The challenger started well with affective aggression before Burns got something of a foothold in Rounds 6 and 7.

However, Beltran burst into life in the 8th when he uncorked a vicious left hook that heavily dropped Burns. The champion made it to his feet at referee, Phil Edwards count of 8 and was somehow able to find a way to get up and see out the round.

"I got him good, I was so focused, I didn't get surprised, I believe in my abilities," said Beltran. "I believe I could take him out, but you can't really celebrate victory because he can get up and had the experience to survive. I had to be careful."

Beltran closed out the remainder of the fight strongly and appeared to have done enough to claim the world title.

However, both fighters had to wait for Michael Buffer to read out the scorecards. Carlos Ortiz Jr.'s scorecard had Burns up 115-112, while Andre Van Grootenbruel sided with Beltran 115-113, but British judge Richie Davies couldn't separate the pair, scoring he bout 114-114.

"I was disappointed when they gave us a draw, but I wasn’t surprised," said Beltran. "When I walked out of the ring, the fans were quiet and I respect them because they said, 'Hey man, you won." That I got robbed. True boxing fans, rooted for Ricky but they knew I won and showed me respect."




Burns had an operation on his broken jaw and had a titanium plate inserted and though a rematch seemed in order it never came to pass.

"We had talks about a rematch with Ricky Burns but he didn’t accept it," concluded Beltran.

Instead, Burns lost his title six-months later to rising star Terence Crawford by 12-round unanimous decision. The talented American went on to dominate Beltran in his second defense in November 2014, whilst also adding the vacant Ring 135-pound title to his growing list of accolades.

Unperturbed, Beltran continued his career. He was due to face Takahiro Ao for the vacant WBO title but missed weight. He finally realized his dream of winning a world title, when he beat Paulus Moses for the vacant WBO 135-pound title in February 2018.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him on X @AnsonWainwright.

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