Ricky Burns vs. Michele Di Rocco: Fight Time, Date, Livestream and TV Info

Ricky Burns can make boxing history when he faces Michele Di Rocco for the vacant WBA world super lightweight title on Saturday in Glasgow, Scotland.

If he leaves the SSE Hydro with the belt, Burns (39-5-1, 13 KOs) will become the first three-weight world champion from Scotland. Only two other Brits—Bob Fitzsimmons and Duke McKenzie—have achieved the feat.

Di Rocco (40-1-1, 18 KOs), an experienced Italian who is a former European champion at the weight limit, stands in Burns' way.

On the same bill, Tyrone Nurse defends his British super lightweight crown against Willie Limond.

Olympic bronze medalist Anthony Ogogo also makes his long-awaited return from injury on the undercard, while Conor Benn—son of the legendary Nigel Benn—takes on Luke Keleher.

When: Saturday, May 28, at 10 p.m. BST (5 p.m. ET)

Where: The SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Livestream: Sky Go (UK)

Mixed Memories

Dave Thompson/Getty Images

A return to Glasgow brings back mixed memories for Burns.

Back in 2010, the 33-year-old climbed off the canvas to beat Roman Martinez at the Kelvin Hall and become the WBO super featherweight champion.

It was at the Braehead Arena in the same city where Burns was also confirmed as the WBO's champion at lightweight, beating Paulus Moses on points in 2012.

However, The Rickster hasn't always been successful on home soil.

In 2014, at the Scottish Exhibition Centre, Burns surrendered his grip on his lightweight belt against Terence Crawford. In defeat, he landed 76 punches over 12 rounds, per CompuBox stats (h/t BoxingScene.com).

Burns has never quite been the same since that result.

He has jumped between 135 and 140 pounds, seemingly waiting for the right opportunity. 

Facing Di Rocco, particularly in front of his fellow Scots, could be the kind of occasion that brings out the best of Burns.

Trainer Tony Sims told Sky Sports (h/t Isaac Robinson of SkySports.com) how Burns rejected the idea of earning a shot at his old WBO lightweight title (currently held by Terry Flanagan), instead choosing to chase a place in the record books:

"

[Burns] was offered a final eliminator for Terry Flanagan's WBO world lightweight title at the same time he got offered this chance as well. We spoke about it that week and he's won a world lightweight title and it's more about achieving history than anything else.

Getting in the history books is what has spurred Ricky on in this camp. He knows what he is achieving but he plays everything down. He trains diligently and is massively motivated because of what it can create. Not a lot of people can say they created history.

"

Burns needs to seize this chance. Per Odds Shark, he is a 2-5 favourite for victory. Yet it has been a while since we've seen him firing on all cylinders—is there anything left in the tank?

History beckons, but a defeat would see him in danger of dropping into boxing obscurity.

The Italian's Job

While Burns is looking for a third world title, Di Rocco is aiming to claim his first.

The man nicknamed The King has never been crowned at the highest level. That is something of a surprise when you realise he has only lost once in 42 bouts.

His solitary defeat as a pro came against Giuseppe Lauri way back in 2007.

However, he avenged that result just under five years later, stopping his compatriot in Round 1.

Di Rocco has barely fought outside of Italy during his career, yet he isn't worried about the prospect of coping with a patriotic Scottish audience at the weekend.

Via an interpreter, he told the Press Association's Ronnie Esplin (h/t the Daily Mail): "I can't wait to fight on Saturday in front of this crowd.

"It will be fantastic. I have fought in Spain and Finland with all the crowd against me but I always try to have that energy in my favour."

Being the visiting fighter isn't the only disadvantage for Di Rocco—he stands at 5′7.5″, while Burns is 5′10″ tall.

He has to find a way to overcome the difference in height. However, fighting on the inside is not necessarily the solution—Burns is a warrior who once fought 10 rounds against Raymundo Beltran with a broken jaw. 

Di Rocco is at least fresh for his maiden attempt at a world title. His last outing was nearly a year ago, when he knocked out Alexandre Lepelley in Milan to retain his European strap.

Prediction

Here are two warriors with much to prove.

Di Rocco has an impressive record, but his CV isn't a patch on Burns'.

As Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook wrote in his preview: "On paper, this is Burns' fight to lose. He's got the superior experience, has been in the ring with better fighters, has better wins, and will have home field advantage in Glasgow."

With the odds stacked in his favour, Burns can find a way to get the win.

He doesn't hit hard enough to force an early stoppage, but he can wear down Di Rocco in the second half of the fight and avoid needing the scorecards.

Bleacher Report will be covering Burns vs. Di Rocco live on Saturday. Join us from 9 p.m. BST (4 p.m. ET) for updates on the action.