BRITISH fight legend Barry McGuigan believes Ricky Burns deserves every penny of the bumper six-figure payday waiting for him in his next defence of the WBO lightweight title against American hotshot Terence Crawford.

The 30-year-old Scot will make his fifth defence at The Hydro on Saturday, February 8, with Burns understood to be in line for a career-best pay day of £500,000.

The fight was brokered by promoter Eddie Hearn, who confirmed an agreement has been reached with Crawford's backers at Top Rank Boxing.

Now former WBA featherweight champion McGuigan says no-one will deserve the security of a megabucks purse more than Burns.

Boxing great McGuigan said: "If Ricky is in line for a big pay-out then no-one would deserve it more, in my book, than him.

"You look at the fights he had with the likes of Roman Martinez, Michael Katsidis, Jose Gonzalez and then that war with Beltran and he will be worth every penny of it.

"Ricky is 30 now and he has been at the top for three years and it is great if he is going to get a pay-day that will help make him and his young family secure. Boxing is a short career and you never know when it will come to an end at the absolute top level.

"Ricky is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet and I have nothing but respect for him and it would be great if the Crawford fight handed him the security he deserves."

Burns' manager Alex Morrison has confirmed that the Scot is in line for the substantial six-figure pay-out against Crawford.

And he described the rewards awaiting the champion from their February fisticuffs as potentially"life-changing".

The fight Godfather said: "Ricky will earn his biggest purse for this fight and it is a potentially life-changing reward for a man who has dedicated his life to boxing and lived it like a true champion.

"Ricky is an outstanding role model and no-one can begrudge him his reward in what will be his 10th world title fight."

While Burns had wanted to offer previous foe Raymundo Beltran a re-match after their brutal battle in September ended in a controversial draw, the WBO have ordered the Scot to meet his mandatory challenger Crawford.

The 26-year-old has compiled an unbeaten 22-fight ring resume with 16 stoppages included, but McGuigan reckons Crawford's classic orthodox boxing style will suit the champion better than the big-hitting Beltran's come forward aggression.

The legendary former featherweight world champion said: "Certain styles can give certain fighter's problems and I really believe that Crawford will suit Ricky better than Beltran did.

"I would reckon the fight is probably a 50/50 affair.

"But the one thing I would say is that it is definitely a big plus that Ricky has home advantage for this one.

"I really hope he can make the most of that and keep his world title in Scotland."