Promise of a lot more fireworks from fiery Burns

The Scot’s 35th bout was undoubtedly his best as he made a step up in both weight and class in London on Saturday night to defeat Michael Katsidis and add the interim WBO lightweight belt to the super-featherweight title he recently relinquished.

The 28-year-old from Coatbridge now finds himself one step away from being a recognised two-weight world champion.

To be upgraded to full champion status he must either defeat veteran Juan Manuel Marquez – who fights Manny Pacquiao at welterweight next week – or hope the revered Mexican gives up the WBO crown.

For the time being Burns is just happy to contemplate a short break and enjoy the new lease of life he has afforded himself by moving up from 9 stone 4lbs to 9st 9lbs.

“This fight was so much more comfortable for me, moving up,” Burns said after his unanimous decision win over Australian brawler Katsidis at Wembley Arena.

“It means no more boiling down to make the weight because for my last couple of defences of the WBO super-featherweight belt I was really, really struggling.

“I’ll have a wee break and whoever I fight next, so be it.

“I want to have a hundred fights. That’s how much I love boxing.

“I’ve always said I’ll never, ever leave it and as long as I’m not getting hurt then I’ll keep fighting into my late 30s, definitely.”

As Burns’s stock continues to rise as he operates at an elite level he is unlikely to enjoy enough regular action to reach such a milestone.

But esteemed trainer Billy Nelson believes his charge has both the talent and the physique to eventually go on to even bigger and better things.

“I know it’s premature but I do believe he can move up again and win a world title at light-welterweight,” said Nelson.

“He looked massive in that ring. In maybe 18 months or two years he could go up again.”

Dereck Chisora has hailed Joe Frazier as “a real inspiration” following reports that the former world heavyweight champion is suffering from liver cancer.

Frazier, who was the first man to beat Muhammad Ali, is reported to be receiving hospice care in America.

British heavyweight Chisora said: “It’s a sad time. I watched all the fighters as a kid and he was a real inspiration.

“I don’t know him as a man but what he did for the sport in terms of entertainment – him and Muhammad Ali – was incredible.”

Frazier beat Ali on points in the so-called ‘Fight of the Century’ in 1971, but lost two further fights to Ali, including the epic ‘Thrilla in Manila’ in 1975.