Ricky Burns has been handed a shock opportunity to win a world title for the fourth time at the Mecca of boxing.
The Scot – who previously held the WBO super-featherweight and light belts as well as the WBA light-welterweight crown – has always wanted to fight in Las Vegas but he’ll have to beat the man who gave him the hardest night of his career.
Mexican Raymundo Beltran broke Burns’ jaw in the second round of his challenge for Burns’ lightweight title at the SECC in September, 2013.
Although Burns toughed it out by going the distance most people at ringside believed Beltran had won easily. However, there was some pain relief for Burns when the judges scored it a majority draw.
Beltran, now 37, claimed he was robbed and, after winning and losing the WBO title earlier this year, he’s desperate for revenge.
However, Burns is looking for a mammoth payday on the Strip after promoter Eddie Hearn negotiated the deal for the Coatbridge man to take on Beltran in a final eliminator for the WBO title on November 17.
“Ricky loves the place and he’s always wanted to fight there,” said his manager, Alex Morrison.
“He also had the offer to be the chief support on the undercard of Tartan Tornado Josh Taylor’s show in Glasgow on November 3 but there was no contest when Vegas came up.
“It says a lot for the way that he’s looked after himself that he’s in contention for another world title at the age of 35 but he knows, from painful experience, that this won’t be an easy fight for him.
“However, he’s already in training for it and he can’t wait to get over there.”
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