Boxer Ricky Burns faces financial ruin over £500K court bill

Former world champion boxer Ricky Burns is facing financial disaster after it emerged he was being pursued for £500,000 in legal fees.

The 31-year-old has been embroiled in a bitter courtroom battle with former promoter Frank Warren, whom he ditched in favour of rival firm Matchroom Sports.

Warren, 62, who has guided the careers of some of Britain’s best boxers including Nigel Benn and Ricky Hatton, sued for breach of contract.

Burns was cleared of “tapping up” allegations at the High Court in London over the switch, but the fighter faces a massive bill over the fall-out.

A suspected six-figure legal bill would likely ruin the fans’ favourite, who is said to have been “seriously affected” by the outcome.

Last night, however, Warren insisted “as far as I’m concerned he put himself in that position”.

The bullish boxing chief added: “I’m very disappointed the way this has worked out because I had a decent relationship with Ricky.

“But he can’t be considered a poor boxer caught in the middle of two promoters. He had a choice, he made a decision and he listened to bad advice.”

Warren had sued the former WBO world champion for £1.8million in lost profit when Burns ended their promotional agreement.

However, Mr Justice Knowles dismissed the claim and instead awarded him £72,000 in unpaid management commission.

Delivering his ruling he said: “The evidence at the trial had showed Mr Burn had had enough and walked away believing he was entitled to do so, and had found a new promoter.”

Both parties will return to the High Court within weeks to find out who will be liable for the legal fees.

Mr Warren added: “I had a huge input on his career ensuring he got two world title fights in his home town. Without my input those fights would never have happened. He did the business in the ring and I did the business outside of the ring.

“I had a great relationship with him and got on well with him. It is very sad we wound up in this position. I called him and wrote to him to sort this out and he decided not to. Ricky made those choices. I await to see what judgement is made.”

Burns left Warren in favour of Matchroom Sports and promoter Eddie Hearn. The split then resulted in the lengthy and costly legal action.

Veteran fight boss Warren’s company W Promotions Ltd (FWP) was ordered to pay Burns unpaid purse fee from his fight with Kevin Mitchell two years ago. But he is unlikely to receive a penny as that firm is in liquidation.

Eddie Hearn said: “It is frustrating Ricky is still owed money from that fight.”

Burn’s career had been on the slide since back-to-back defeats by Terence Crawford which cost him his WBO lightweight crown, and Dejan Zlaticanin in a WBC title eliminator.

He last fought in October when he defeated Frenchman Alexandre Lepelley on points. It is believed his next fight will be in the US.