Wednesday 4 October 2017 08:11, UK
Ricky Burns says defeat is not a possibility he is considering ahead of his fight against Anthony Crolla on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
The lightweight duo top the bill at the Manchester Arena and Burns thinks fight fans are in for a treat when he takes on his fellow former world champion.
Both fighters are regarded as among the nicer men on the circuit but the loser's future in the sport will be uncertain, the duo having lost their latest fights, albeit against top-class opposition.
Asked what he would need to do to get another title shot if he is beaten by Crolla, Burns told Sky Sports: "I'm not losing on Saturday, so I am not even going to answer that!
"In my eyes, this is going to be my hardest fight and I need to make sure I go out and win it.
"Anthony is a great guy. I get on well with him, we have sparred before, both of us like to keep ourselves to ourselves and do our talking in the ring.
"Once the first bell goes, that is when it comes down to business, and you're not wanting to lose so the fans can expect a great fight."
Burns last fought in April, when he suffered a points defeat to Julius Indongo and lost his WBA super-lightweight belt, and Crolla's last two bouts ended in unanimous points defeats to the classy Venezuelan Jorge Linares.
Those fights were all for world titles but Burns thinks there will be a similar intensity on Saturday.
"Every fight is different," said the 34-year-old.
"Both of our last fights, we lost at a higher level, but we are expecting a tough fight, we have trained for a hard fight, and the best man will win."
Watch Anthony Crolla vs Ricky Burns, with Sam Eggington and Conor Benn on the undercard, at the Manchester Arena on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 10pm.
