Burns, 30, suffered a badly broken jaw against Ray Beltran in September, which required emergency surgery, with some initial reports alluding to the possibility that the Coatbridge fighter’s career may have been over.
Gladly that was not the case and a titanium plate later, two-weight world title holder Burns is recharging his batteries for what would be a stern test of his newly-built chin against the dangerous American.
The fight is set to be confirmed for Glasgow on February 8 in the coming days as Burns and Hearn rubberstamp their notion that big title fights against the world’s top challenger’s can be held on his home soil in Scotland.
Hearn’s sealing of the WBO stipulated clash means disappointment for Beltran, who was incensed at hearing the verdict against Burns last time out at the SEC.
The Mexican has now been annoyed further as stablemate Crawford turned down his monetary request to step aside after initially believing that another trip to the UK was not in his best interests.
The 32 year-old may now regret rebuffing Hearn’s original offer for an immediate rematch, although Burns has made is clear that he would like to rectify that result if he comes through Crawford next year.
Undefeated 26 year-old Crawford’s 16 stoppages from 22 bouts suggests that Burns will be reliant on his reconstructed chin, with the fight looking yet another crowd-pleaser on paper.
There is no doubting that Burns kept the fans plenty entertained no matter the result against Beltran, and the can be expected when a fully fit ‘Rickster’ makes his eagerly-anticipated return in the New Year.
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