Scotland's Ricky Burns will make the third defence his WBO Super-Featherweight world title against former belt holder Nicky Cook at Liverpool's Echo Arena on July 16.
Burns 28, won the WBO belt in September 2010 beating Purto Rican Roman Martinez on points. Martinez had taken the title off Cook the previous year when he stopped the Essex man in the fourth round.
Cook 31, a former British, European and Commonwealth champion at featherweight, returned to the ring after a two year layoff on Saturday night, shaking off some ring rust with a six round points win over Youssef Al Hamidi at the O2 Arena. But questions will be raised as to whether Cook should have taken another couple of fights in preparation before taking on Burns?
"I'm still hurting from that night," Cook told SkySports.
"The only way to heal the pain is to beat Ricky Burns. Burns has done well as champion, but believe me, I'm going in their all guns blazing to win back my old belt.
"There's always something special in the air when England and Scotland clash, and this fight will be no different," said Burns.
"Nicky wants his title back, but even if he produces the performance of a lifetime, he won't beat me."
WBO SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE: ECHO ARENA, LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY JULY 16, 2011, 2210 BST
Ricky Burns may seem to be Britain's forgotten world champion but the unassuming Scot has his chance to shine as he makes his first defence south of the border against former world champion Nicky Cook.
Cook held the WBO title before Roman Martinez, whom Burns defeated to become champion, relinquished him of the crown in 2009.
WBO super-featherweight champion Ricky Burns could be fighting for the last time at 130lbs tomorrow night, according to trainer and mentor Billy Nelson.
The 28 year-old makes the third defence of his title at the Echo Arena in Liverpool this Saturday against former champion Nicky Cook and Nelson says the Coatbridge fighter will seek a unification bout next if victorious.
The IBF has stripped Fana of his title because he refused to make a mandatory defence but that should just make that fight easier to make.
Burns took the title from the number one fighter in the division at the time, Roman ‘Rocky’ Martinez and is yet to be tested since claiming the title in September 2010.
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