Ricky Burns is a professional boxer. Not only that, he is a young married man with a family who is working hard to provide for them. Unlike the millions of dollars that are commonly associated with World Champions, Ricky does not earn anywhere near those advertised amounts. From the purses he wins he must pay his training team costs, sparring partners, medical, support costs, mortgage and of course income taxation and VAT. All of which amounts to tens of thousands of pounds at a time.

From the purses that Ricky has, his wage, after all the deductions, amounts to a standard living wage. So much so that between contests Ricky maintains a part-time job as a salesperson in a sports shop. Not exactly the glorified Money Mayweather fortunes that people might imagine he has.

He has a wife and young child to support  whilst at the same time keeping his mind on his career and next title defence. He does not have the luxury of the 9-5 job where he can switch off when he goes home at the evening.

Amazingly Ricky is a very friendly, affable and approachable World Champion. Some might say too much so for his own good, but that is Ricky. He is a Champion who will attend as many junior or local events as he can to inspire and encourage young boxers in their careers. He will stand for autographs and photographs till the last person has been spoken to.

That is why it is so galling that, when Ricky has fullfilled his contractual committments for his contest with Kevin Mitchell in 2012, which he won. Mr Frank Warren has repeatedly failed to pay the £160,000 Ricky is still due for the contest. Ricky has been presented with a cheque on 3 separate occassions, all of which 'bounced' at the bank. This contest was in 2012, it is now 2014! Still the payment has not been completed. Would any of us wait two years for our wages ?

We know Ricky, we know his nature outside the ring. Its not one that deals well with these sort of people. That is why we as Ricky's friends and colleagues have decided to raise this petition and hopefully bring this outrageous situation to the attention of those who care about fairness and justice for people. Ricky may be a world champion but he is still and ordinary guy with real bills to pay.

Demand that Frank Warren the owner of Box Nation Television, amongst many other things, pays Ricky Burns, our Champion, the £160,000 that he is due.

Thank You

Justice4 Ricky Burns Team