• Ricky Burns v Raymundo Beltran

Hearn: Burns may never fight again

Ricky Burns held on to his title despite being floored in the eighth round © PA Photos

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Promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed concern over the future of WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns after the Scot fought ten rounds against Raymundo Beltran with a broken jaw.

Burns controversially retained his title against the Mexican in Glasgow on Saturday, when the bout was declared a draw. The 30-year-old was caught with an array of left hooks from Beltran - one of which dislocated his jaw in the second round.

Burns was later floored by Beltran's left glove in the eighth round but, despite being on the back foot for the majority of the fight, somehow kept hold of his belt. He has since had titanium plates inserted into his jaw.

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While both camps have already made mention of a rematch, Hearn insists his main priority is making sure Burns succesfully recovers from the state of the injury.

"Everyone's talking about his next move. I can't even guarantee he'll box again at the moment," Hearn told BBC Radio 5Live. "It was a horrific injury to suffer.

"There have been a few occasions when people have boxed on with broken jaws - I couldn't imagine anything worse - but they are extraordinary people, fighters, and he found the bravery to carry on.

"The doctor, who doesn't know a lot about boxing, was quite astonished when I told him he had boxed for half an hour with a broken jaw.

"He asked if he had taken any shots on it and I told him that was the understatement of the year."

"When I spoke to Beltran, he said he could hear him [Burns] almost crying in clinches where the heads were going in on the jaw - unpleasant stuff, but he's on the mend.

"You look at Ricky Burns and he looks more like choirboy than a fighter, but he's one brave kid and our immediate concern is to make sure that he's okay."

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