Opinion: Ricky Burns is the most underrated British fighter of the 2000s
A three-division world champion, there is no doubt Ricky Burns should be regarded as a British legend and he deserves more love from the casual fans than he received in his prime.
However, using some of that Scottish grit and determination, Burns frustrated the Puerto Rican fighter and had huge success with landing right uppercuts to overcome the storm and earn a unanimous decision.
Three successful defences followed, including victory over former titleholder Nicky Cook before moving up to 135-pounds. Outpointing Michael Katsidis, Burns won the WBO interim lightweight championship.
Ricky Burns (left) with trainer Tony Simms after victory over Scott Cardle in their Lightweight contest at Manchester Arena in 2018
A unification defeat to Terance Crawford soon followed in 2014 and while he was outclassed, he hardly disgraced himself against the American, who is now in some people's eyes the best fighter in world boxing right now.
With another three defeats in four, it looked like curtains for Burns on a world level. Promoter Eddie Hearn had even admitted his time at world level was done after being on the wrong side of a split-decision verdict to Dejan Zlaticanin