Ricky Burns’s clash with Jorge Linares is “make or break” for the Coatbridge boxing hero, according to his manager.
The former three-weight world champion is set to face Linares at the SSE Hydro on September 7, with the winner facing Vasyl Lomachenko for the WBA lightweight title.
Burns, the only Scottish boxer ever to have held titles in three different weight divisions, has picked up wins in his last two bouts.
However, the 36-year-old has been out of action since the win over Scott Cardle at the Manchester Arena in November 2018.
Venezualan Linares, who is also a champion at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight, will also arrive in Glasgow looking to bring back the glory days.
The 33-year-old hasn’t returned to the ring since a first round KO defeat to Pablo Cesar Cano for the WBC Super Lightweight title in January.
Burns’s manager Alex Morrison confirmed that the contracts were to be signed for the Glasgow bout – the first time Burns has competed in front of his home crowd since 2017 when he lost the World Super Lightweight unification bout to Julius Indongo.
“Ricky is really looking forward to it,” said Morrison.
“It’s been a while now since he was in Glasgow, and a long time coming for him to get back in the ring.
“For Ricky and Jorge it really is make or break.
“There isn’t a lot of places for him to go if he loses this fight, but we are only really looking at a win and the chance to get back in the title picture.”
