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Home » Beltran says Burns rematch still not close, claims jaw-break was eighth round

Beltran says Burns rematch still not close, claims jaw-break was eighth round

The Mexican-American, who took Burns the full twelve rounds in September and was unfortunate not to gain a decision in Glasgow, has been earmarked by Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn for a second fight in February or March, 2014.

Despite suggestions from Hearn last month that a deal was almost agreed, Beltran explained to WBN at the time that he would only consider a big money offer to travel back to the UK and has now reiterated that terms for a return remain stalled.

“At this point, another fighter between me and Ricky Burns is not close, but we will see what happens from their side in the future,” Beltran told World Boxing News.

Burns, 30, suffered a broken jaw in the earlier meeting at the Scottish Exhibition Centre and was forced to undergo surgery to have a titanium plate inserted to correct the injury. The Coatbridge fighter had initially indicated that the break happened in the second round, meaning Burns had fought ten rounds with the debilitating ailment, although Beltran disputed this when speaking to WBN.

“I don’t know why Burns is saying the broken jaw was in the second round,” questioned Beltran.

“Maybe he and his team are using that as an excuse to look good to the fans somehow. It looks brave fighting that long with a broken jaw, but I know it was in the eighth round as he wouldn’t be able to open his mouth.

“In the eighth after I knocked him down I could see him in pain while he was on his knee. Burns didn’t look in too much pain before that and wouldn’t be able to move his jaw is it was broke since the second as he said it was.”

Beltran obviously still harbours the disappointment he expressed in the immediate aftermath of the fight as the 32 year-old claimed he was the victim of a hometown decision. Whether Beltran accepts the chance to rectify the scorecards and attempt to take the WBO title once again seems to lie firmly in the in the hands of Hearn at the moment and how much the promoter is willing to fork out to get the fight on again.

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