THE moment of truth has finally arrived for Ricky Burns.

For all the arrogant antics of Terence Crawford and his crass trainer Brian McIntyre the challenger's 22-fight unbeaten ring resume, which includes 16 knock-outs, and his membership of the elite Top Rank fight stable, speak volumes for how highly regarded the 26-year-old is.

Burns, by his own admission, has failed to impress since he destroyed Kevin Mitchell in four rounds in September 2012 at the SECC.

And if there are lingering doubts over the titanium plate the champion had put in after the broken jaw he suffered against Raymundo Beltran last Autumn, they could undermine Scottish hopes.

But in boxing there is usually a common form line and that is Breidis Prescott, the Colombian banger who was the first man to beat and stop Amir Khan.

Although Crawford beat Prescott, the biggest name on his record, with ease on points, Burns destroyed Mitchell, who comprehensively outpointed the limited South American.

That puts the operating levels of the two fighters in perfect perspective.

It is why, should the champion rediscover his best form I take him to beat an opponent who, despite attempts to compare him to pound-for-pound supremo Floyd Mayweather jnr, is not remotely in the same fistic galaxy.