ALEX MORRISON has declared his confidence that former two-weight world champ Ricky Burns can make a success of his move up to light welterweight.

The Coatbridge fighter is set to return to the fistic fray on October 4 at the First Direct Arena, Leeds, against an opponent who has yet to be announced.

His manager Morrison has revealed that the move up to 140lbs should have been made before the 31-year-old Scot slipped to a split-points decision at the hands of Montenegrin mauler Dejan Zlaticanin at the Braehead Arena back in June.

Now Big Alex is confident Burns can regain his lustre at the higher weight class.

Morrison said: "When you look at the difference that the move up to lightweight made to Ricky then I have no doubt we will get a similarly positive reaction from him at light welterweight.

"It is something we've been discussing for a while and a move that promoter Eddie Hearn and I favour.

"Ricky's last fight against Zlaticanin was an eliminator for the WBC lightweight title, so we had to put off the move to the heavier class.

"But now is the natural time to take that step and I have no doubt Ricky will be all the better for it.

"Ricky was very big as a super-featherweight and it was inevitable that he had to move up to lightweight.

"Now we have come to a similar stage in terms of the need to make the step up to the 140lbs classification.

Burns suffered an elbow injury in the Zlaticanin loss and picked up a shoulder niggle but neither problem has placed the October 4 fight date in jeopardy.

Although an opponent has yet to be nailed down Burns is expected to face a stiff test of his ability to make the move to light welterweight.

Meanwhile, Morrison also revealed that Willie Limond will defend his British light-welterweight title against the awkward Englishman Tyrone Nurse south of the border in October.

The 35-year-old Scot had hoped to challenge Michelle di Rocco for his European title in November but the Italian faces a mandatory defence in September.

Limond won the Lonsdale belt in June when he produced a boxing master class to beat Curtis Woodhouse on points via two knockdowns.

NOW the Glaswegian will face 24-year-old Nurse. Morrison said: "We had hoped there would be a chance for him to challenge Di Rocco but he will face a mandatory title defence next month.

"So Willie's British title defence against Nurse is now signed and sealed for October, although we've still to reach agreement on date and venue. But it will be in England. It is not what we'd have wanted for Willie but he's never been too worried about fighting on the road.

"If fighting Erik Morales in a bullring in Mexico City at altitude in front of 60,000 screaming Mexicans didn't bother Willie I don't suppose taking on Nurse will cause him any loss of sleep."

Morrison also revealed he has snapped up Commonwealth Games boxer Joe Ham on a pro contract.

And he is monitoring gold medallist Charlie Flynn's situation as the young Royal Mail worker mulls over a move into the paid ranks.

The veteran fight boss said: "We are delighted Joe has joined us. He's a five-times Scottish Amateur champ with two Commonwealth Games appearances.

"Joe was disappointed to lose at the quarter-finals stage at Glasgow 2014 but he is a Gorbals boy with huge promise. At 22, he's the right age to turn professional.

"Obviously young Flynn has a decision to make - and it will be interesting to see where that takes him."