Ricky Burns set to face Esteban Gonzalez on 4 October
Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Ricky Burns will begin his attempt to become a three-weight world champion when he faces Esteban Gonzalez at light-welterweight on 4 October.
Burns moves up to make his debut at 140lbs at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
The Coatbridge fighter lost his WBO lightweight world title to Terence Crawford in March before losing a split decision to Dejan Zlaticanin in June.
Burns, 31, said: "I believe the move up in weight will really benefit me."
He will face the Argentine over 10 rounds and revealed the two defeats persuaded him to move up a weight.
"The lightweight limit was proving tougher to make in my last few fights, so that's now behind me and I can concentrate on working on my boxing in the gym with Tony Sims," he said.
"It has been a tough year following the Raymundo Beltran fight, but I'm feeling great in the gym and the fire and desire is still there to achieve big things.
"I'm looking to show in Leeds that I've still got the goods to challenge for major belts and, ultimately, win another world title."
On the undercard in Leeds, local favourite Josh Warrington takes on Davide Diele for the vacant European featherweight title.
Light-middleweight world title challenger Brian Rose faces Juan Manuel Bonanni, Liverpool's unbeaten super-middleweight Callum Smith defends his WBC International title and Tyrone Nurse faces Dave Ryan for the vacant Commonwealth light-welterweight title.
