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26 January 2012

Burns thrilled with full WBO title as Marquez moves up

Ricky Burns has been confirmed as WBO lightweight champion after Juan Manuel Marquez moved up divisions.

The 28-year-old Scot held the interim title following a defeat of Michael Katsidis at Wembley in November and, now Marquez's move up to welterweight has been confirmed, Burns has officially been installed as champion.

He said: "When I beat Katsidis I felt like a world champion anyway, but this makes it all real and I'm thrilled with the news that I'm now the official full world champion."

Former world super-featherweight champion Burns' first defence of his title is scheduled to be against Namibian Paulus Moses in Glasgow on March 10.

Burns said: "It's a great feeling, but now it's back to reality and training hard for what will be a tough title defence against Moses in my Scottish homecoming on March 10.

"For the last 10 years I've been grafting away in my career, but in the last couple of years it has really taken off with me beating Martinez and then beating a great warrior like Katsidis to put me up with the best in the world."

The news means Britain now has two world champions, with Burns joining WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly among the elite.

"Nathan's a great fighter and Britain has now got two world champions to be proud of who can fly the flag on the world stage." added Burns.