By Elliot Foster

Hosea Burton will still box next month but will not defend his British title.

Boxing Scene reported, after the withdrawal of Frank Buglioni from his proposed fight with Burton on September 24 due to a cut, that the Newcastle-born Mancunian would still look to get the first rung on the defences ladder of that prestigious Lord Lonsdale belt.

The pair were set to clash for Burton’s belt at Manchester Arena, as part of the world lightweight title showdown between Anthony Crolla and Venezuelan star Jorge Linares, exclusively live on Sky Sports.

But after Buglioni’s withdrawal and the struggle to come up with a suitable opponent, who would have been passed by the British Boxing Board of Control, to face ‘The Hammer’ in a British title defence, promoter Edddie Hearn has revealed that he has other plans for the 27-year-old (17-0, 8 KOs).

“I was looking at getting another opponent for the British title fight for Hosea,” Hearn said.

“We offered it to Miles Shinkwin [who Burton stopped inside six rounds on February 27 at the same venue to win the vacant title] and went in with a decent opening offer, but they [he and his team] returned and said that there wasn’t enough money on the table.

“So we went back in with another offer, which we had improved and matched what he got last time and we got told that it was too short notice and that he wouldn’t be ready.”

It is now understood that Burton will fight for what Hearn described as “an international title,” while Marcus Morrison –– who said after his last victory at the Manchester Arena that he would be moving back down to super-welterweight –– will remain up at middleweight as he makes the first defence of the WBC International Silver strap he holds.

Hearn also revealed that plans are underway to get undefeated Boston man Callum Johnson, who is a gym-mate of Crolla, Burton and Morrison, a shot at Bob Ajisafe's Commonwealth light-heavyweight title.