Lightweight

Burns to make February return against Crawford

ESPN staff

December 8, 2013

Ricky Burns has not fought since drawing with Raymundo Beltran in September, where he suffered a knockdown and a broken jaw © Getty Images

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Ricky Burns will defend his WBO lightweight title against undefeated American Terence Crawford in February, promoter Eddie Hearn has announced.

Burns has been out of action ever since he suffered a broken jaw against Raymundo Beltran in September, which left the Scot unsure over his future in the ring.

The fight with Beltran ended a draw, prompting calls for an immediate rematch with the Mexican. However, the WBO have now ordered Burns to fight mandatory challenger Crawford first, in what will be his fifth defence of the belt.

Hearn confirmed the fight, which will be held in Glasgow, on social networking site Twitter, although a date has yet to be set.

Delighted to confirm we have agreed terms with @trboxing for @ricksterko to face @budcrawford402 in Glasgow in February -date confirmed soon
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) December 8, 2013