By Edward Chaykovsky

Former world champion Ricky Burns (36-4-1, 11KOs) has his entire career riding on tonight's fight, when he faces Alexandre Lepelley (17-1-1, 3KOs) in Leeds, live on Sky Sports. Network commentator Jim Watt says a victory is not enough for Burns, who must impress the television audience and the live crowd at the First Direct Arena.

Burns, after suffering back to back defeats, is now making his debut at 140-pounds. He feels the move to junior welterweight will help him reestablish himself and get his career back on track.

"I genuinely hope moving up will do the trick, because he needs to get back on track and, above all, fire on all cylinders. I hope he is strong, powerful, quick – and impresses," Watt penned on Sky Sports.

"I think Lepelley will get beaten, though it may well go all the way, but whatever happens we need to see Burns on top of his game again so he can chase the dream fly that Scotland flag. If we see another lackluster performance from him, never mind the result, the verdict will have to be: we have seen the best of Ricky Burns."