RICKY BURNS, the ex-two weight world champion from Coatbridge, was only partially fit when he faced Australian Josh King at the weekend.

Burns succeeded in stopping King in the 11th round of their bout for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title at Liverpool’s Echo Arena despite being severely handicapped after it emerged that he was suffering from the effects of a heavy cold.

The revelation that he felt unwell explains why he failed to sparkle on his ring return and also struggled to make himself understood during a post-fight television interview due to his condition, which affected his ability to speak clearly.

But only a handful of close friends and family were aware that he was suffering after he hid his condition from promoter Eddie Hearn and boxing chiefs for fear that they would refuse to allow him to fight.

A source close to the former WBO super-featherweight and lightweight champion confirmed yesterday: “Ricky was suffering from a chest and throat infection and was clearly far from 100 per cent fit.

“But he kept his condition to himself in case his fight was pulled or people thought he was making his excuses beforehand as a cover if he lost.

“Considering how badly he felt in the build up and also during the fight, it was another example of his bravery.”

It is not the first time that Burns has displayed raw courage in the ring after he once fought for 10 rounds with a shattered jaw.

Mexican Raymundo Beltran inflicted the damage in a world title showdown in September 2013, also flooring his opponent, but Burns somehow managed to keep going in the face of excruciating pain to force a controversial draw.

He was operated on the following day, when he had a titanium plate fitted in his jaw, but resisted calls from him to quit.

Reflecting on his weekend success, Burns, who floored King with a cracking left hook to the body, confessed: “I was a bit disappointed with my performance. It was a little scrappy. But there’s still more to come from me and the most important thing at the end of the day was getting the win.”

Burns is likely to be elevated into the top-15 in the WBO rankings as he eyes a possible attempt to win back the WBO lightweight crown from reigning champion Terry Flanagan.