Ricky Burns could kick off the new boxing season with a showdown against South African Mzonke Fana - if the Scotsman gets his way.

The message from team Burns at the moment is that they want the former IBF world champion in the ring in October.

Burns was keen to fight Fana when the veteran held the IBF title.

And the fact he was recently stripped has not detered him from his pursuit.

In fact, Fana's new status as a non champion could make the fight easier to make.

Rumours have been swirling around Scotland this week that Burns-Fana could be heading to Glasgow in the autumn.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, with WBO super-featherweight king Burns having plenty of options on the table.

He extended his unbeaten record as a world champion to three fights last month, with a first round win over Englishman Nicky Cook.

And it meant the 28-year-old has not tasted defeat in more than a dozen fights.

If Burns did get Fana in the ring, victory would almost certainly see him installed as Ring Magazine champion at 130 pounds.