RICKY Burns deserves the same acclaim as Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton after becoming only the third British boxer to win world titles at three different weights this year.

That was the claim from Hatton himself today ahead of Burns's first defence of his WBA super-lightweight title against Kiryl Relikh of Belarus at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.

Hatton is Relikh’s trainer and is hoping the little-known 26-year-old, who has won 19 of his 21 professional bouts by knockout, can silence thousands of Burns fans this evening and triumph.

However, he feels that the Scot should be recognised in the same way that both he and Calzaghe are regardless of the outcome.

“Ricky should be held in the same regard as Joe and I,” he said. “Joe Calzaghe’s appeal was that he had his unbeaten record (the Welshman won all 46 of his professional fights) which was a big thing. For me, I had a very exciting style that people loved - and I was a bit of a scallywag!

“But Ricky has done something myself and Joe haven’t. He’s won world titles at three different weights. People might not say he’s quite got the charisma like me, or the unbeaten record like Joe, but his achievements are right up there.

"There have only been three British fighters who have win world titles in three divisions, Duke McKenzie, Bob Fitzsimmons and Ricky Burns. I firmly believe he deserves to be held right up there.

“It’s not just that, it’s the person he is as well. I can remember when Ricky first won his world title and he was still working in DW Sports. That’s the type of guy he is and he deserves all the plaudits going. He’s made history.

“All of these guys we are talking about did something special and Ricky will always go down as Scotland's first three weight world champion.”

Hatton, who now works as a trainer and boxing promoter after retiring from fighting four years ago, believes Relikh has a bright future ahead of him and is confident he won’t be daunted by the partisan crowd inside the Hydro.

“I’m not too concerned because the fighter I have believes he is destined for great things,” he said. “People might think that’s a bit ambitious given the fact they have never heard of him.

“But I see what he does in the gym and in sparring. He honestly can’t wait to get in there. I’ve told him how passionate the Scottish fans will be. He will be aware of it but when I look in his eyes I can see it won’t affect him.

“Kiryl’s a really nice, down to earth kid. If he wasn’t I wouldn’t be training him. I wouldn’t be associated with anyone who wasn’t a good person. But he’s also got that nasty streak you need in the ring.”

There was some drama at the weigh-in at the St. Enoch Centre in Glasgow yesterday when challenger Relikh took three attempts to make the weight.

But Hatton continued: “I’ve been there and done it and had a lot of experience. I was always in great shape going in. Kiryl is the same and does the hard work in the gym. He’s not got the rounds under his belt like Ricky Burns. But I have got no doubts about his stamina or his confidence. He is more than ready."