Alex Arthur has moved to end speculation of a rematch with Ricky Burns after admitting he would be unable to make the weight.

Talk of an all-Scottish clash has intensified since Burns' impressive points win against Australian Michael Katsidis for the interim lightweight WBO belt at Wembley Arena on Saturday.

However, one possible opponent for Burns could be WBO Inter-Continental lightweight champion Kevin Mitchell who has urged promoter Frank Warren to get the fight on.

Mitchell, who was stopped in three rounds by Katsidis in May last year, tweeted Warren on Wednesday: "I think myself vs Ricky Burns is an obvious choice and needs to happen ASAP."

The Londoner bounced back from the first loss of his professional career at the hands of Katsidis in impressive fashion by stopping John Murray in July and a match-up with Burns would certainly be one of the most appealing domestic showdowns in recent years.

Scottish rivals Arthur and Burns, meanwhile, came up against each other in Edinburgh in February 2006 when Arthur defended his European, Commonwealth and British super-featherweight titles against Burns via a unanimous decision points victory.

And there has been talk of a re-match between the pair since the Coatbridge fighter captured and made three successful defences of the WBO super-featherweight title which was previously held by Arthur.

But Edinburgh's Arthur confirmed he is not seeking another meeting with Burns and will now officially move up to the light-welterweight division.

He said: "I just want to state that I want to and would love to fight Ricky for the interim title but I am no longer capable of safely making lightweight.

"I lost my WBO super-featherweight title against Nicky Cook because I was dead at the weight having outgrown the super-featherweight ranks but still went ahead with the bout.

"I have learned from that mistake and do not want to repeat it.

"I actually wrote to my promoter Frank Warren last month regarding his plans for my next contest and stated in the letter that I was struggling at lightweight but would still like to face the winner of the Burns-Katsidis contest.

"However, with the advice I have been given, I now realise I should move up.

"It is a no-win situation and my family, trainer Peter Harrison, conditioning coach and nutritionist are of the same opinion.

"I hope to return to the ring next year. Regardless of where my next fight takes place, and who the opponent is, I will be entering the ring as a light-welterweight."

Arthur's nutritionist Nikos Jakubiak said: "What has to be kept in mind is that Alex has weighed in for three of his last four fights at over 10 stone.

"There isn't enough fat in Alex's body for him to lose so he would have to dehydrate himself to a degree where it would be a real risk to his health for him to box as a lightweight.

"I can't see how Alex could provide a decent performance for the boxing fans as it would be impossible for him to perform the way he is capable of."