by Shaun Brown
Any hopes of an all-Scottish clash between Ricky Burns and Josh Taylor appear to have been dashed by the three-weight world champion.
Burns, 35, reached a milestone on Saturday night in Newcastle by having his 50th professional fight.
The victory over Ivan Njegac, who retired in round four of their six-rounder, may not be up there with Burns' magnificent achievements over the years but the fire still burns for 'Rickster', however his career will most likely continue at 135lbs than 140lbs - the weight which Taylor competes at.
Speaking in the Daily Record, Burns said: "As long as I diet, which I have done, I can do lightweight no problem and I think I can go out and get a big fight there.
"I would like to stay at lightweight and a couple of names have been mentioned. I would love to get another fight back at the Hydro (in Glasgow), the fans are unbelievable."
Burns has been linked to a fight in America with Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa. The Scot, however, remains keen on a rematch with Anthony Crolla who he lost to via unanimous decision last October.
Burns and Taylor appeared to be on something of a collision course, last year, albeit briefly. Burns campaign at 140lbs led to wins over Michele Di Rocco, to win the WBA title, and a narrow victory in his first defence against Kiryl Relikh. Six months later, in April 2017, Burns was comfortably beaten on points by IBF/IBO champion Julius Indongo in their super lightweight unification fight in Glasgow.
The SSE Hydro in Glasgow will be the venue this Saturday night for Josh Taylor's biggest test to date -- a final eliminator for the WBC super lightweight title against Ukrainian Viktor Postol.
"It's a great fight for Josh and a very winnable fight for him as well. I get on well with Josh, he's a great, great fighter," said Burns.
"If you get an opportunity you're not going to knock it back. I know he (Postol) is a good fighter and although he won a world title at light welterweight, even those fights I did have, I knew myself I'm not really a light welterweight. I'm too small."
Shaun Brown covers British boxing for Boxing Scene. Contact him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0