Fight night flutters

Ricky Burns is odds-on to make the third defence of his WBO Lightweight title against Jose Gonzalez.

Ricky Burns makes the third defence of his WBO Lightweight title against undefeated challenger Jose Gonzalez in Glasgow on Saturday night, and is odds-on to do so. Gonzalez is not to be underestimated, though, as the Puerto Rican packs a powerful punch, backed up by his record of 17 knockouts in his 22 wins to date. Some will question the quality of his victims, but a KO ratio of that magnitude is not to be sniffed at and Burns' trainer Billy Nelson will have installed that notion into his fighter's mind-set, one of the reasons why the pair have yet to taste defeat together. In the round-betting market, the home favourite to win in the eighth has proved the most popular among punters at 18/1, but for a greater chance of success lies in the grouped-round betting. Punters will be hoping for another exciting encounter between a Puerto Rican and a Scotsman, much like Burns' points-victory over Roman Martinez at super-featherweight level four years ago, with either fighter to win on points an 8/11 shot. Burns' sheer determination, grit and will to win should see this go the distance, with the 30-year-old to win on points at 10/11 likely to prove the most sensible bet, but there is value to be had out there. Last time out, Burns stopped Kevin Mitchell in stunning fashion in the fourth round, a 20/1 long shot on Saturday night, although his two other fights at Lightweight since stepping up from Super Featherweight have gone the distance. For those failing to see any value in the home favourite, Gonzalez is known to possess a mean left hook and Burns has been no stranger to the canvas in the past, with the challenger an 80/1 shot to win the bout inside the opening 60 seconds. Odds are subject to change