Boxing: Appleby in line to face champ Burns

Queensferry's Paul Appleby has been handed an extra incentive to beat Joseph Lareya at the Braehead Arena on December 4 for the vacant WBO Intercontinental super-featherweight title.

Victory could put him on course for an all-Scottish fight at that weight with current WBO champion Ricky Burns in 2011.

Provided Coatbridge fighter Burns sees off the challenge of Norwegian Anders Evensen at Braehead next month, fight fans could see the biggest all-Scottish title affair since Edinburgh's Alex Arthur put his British, Commonwealth and European titles on the line against Ricky Burns in 2006.

World champion Burns said: "I'll fight anybody who is put in front of me and I'd take Appleby in a heartbeat.

"Of course, the east coast versus west coast rivalry comes into it and two Scots fighting for the world title for the first time in history would make it a massive event.''

Appleby responded: "I'd love a fight against Burns. People are asking me when I'm going to get it on with Burns. Ricky's a warrior, but, against me, he'd come out a loser.''