WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns admitted he had a point to prove as the date of his mandatory defence against Terence Crawford was set for March 1 at the SECC in Glasgow. Crawford is unbeaten in his 22 professional bouts, 16 of which he has won by knockouts.
Burns, who will be making his fifth defense, has resumed full training after recovering from surgery on the broken jaw he suffered early in his controversial defence against Raymundo Beltran in September, which ended in a draw.
In his previous defence, Burns was behind on the scorecard against Jose Gonzalez but kept his title when his opponent retired with a broken hand.
Crawford has never fought outside the United States and the 26-year-old is determined to take the belt back to Omaha.
The Coatbridge fighter's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has declared Crawford as the biggest test yet for his boxer.
"This is a must-win fight for Ricky and perhaps the toughest of his incredible career," Hearn said. "Ricky is more determined than I've ever seen him and to have that frame after the injury that he suffered during the Beltran fight is testament to the type of character and fighter he is.
"Crawford is hot property in the States but we managed to bring him here, out of his comfort zone, and right now Ricky needs the people of Scotland behind him more than ever. March 1 will be a special night at the SECC, the latest chapter of the remarkable Ricky Burns story."