RICKY BURNS returns to the ring tonight in Hull following an absence of just three months when he faces the exotically named Prince Ofotsu at the KC Stadium.
But the 32-year-old former double world championship is looking beyond his 44th bout as he eyes regaining his status at lightweight.
The former WBO super-featherweight and lightweight champion from Coatbridge has lost three and drawn one of his last five fights.
But despite only one win in two years, against Frenchman Alexandre Lepelley last October, prior to his points defeat by world-class Omar Figueroa in Texas in May, Burns believes he is capable of mixing it with the top contenders in his weight class.
He said: “There are so many big fights at lightweight not only in the UK but on the world scene and I can’t wait to get involved in the thick of it.
“It was frustrating to hear people say that I was being sent out to America to just be an opponent for Figueroa. But I proved them wrong and I will fight anybody.
“We aren’t looking at a particular route or governing body. Whatever comes our way, we will be ready.”
Burns offered a glimpse of his old self against Figueroa, and the margin of defeat would have been slender but for two points harshly deducted in the latter rounds for holding.
And he says he would jump at the chance to return to the States after claiming: “I think it was Figueroa’s size that gave me problems more than anything. I don't know what weight he was in that ring, but it was a lot bigger than me.
“The plan was to try to stick to boxing for the first half of the fight, but once his size really took over I had to stand and exchange more than I would have liked and I couldn't get him off of me, but I hope to go back to America.”
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