Ricky Burns believes he can retain his belt in style

Ricky Burns will be happy to beat Nicky Cook "by any means necessary" at Liverpool's Echo Arena tomorrow night - but is confident he can produce a crowd-pleasing performance in doing so.

Burns' clash with Cook is his third defence of the WBO super-featherweight title he won from Roman Martinez in September last year, and the Scot (31-2, 8 KOs) is yet to deliver a knockout as world champion. Given the profile of this weekend's contest, it would appear the perfect time to put that right, but Burns' primary focus is on retaining the belt.

"You find when you go out looking for a knockout it never happens, so my attitude is that I just want to get in there and win by any means necessary," said Burns. "Whether you look good or you look bad, so long as you come out and you've got that belt coming home with you in the car, that is the main thing."

The 28-year-old is wary of trying too hard to impress on the big stage, although he remains conscious of what an attention-grabbing display could do for his career and the need to give watching fans their money's worth. "Everybody in Scotland knows who I am but I am maybe not as well known in England," said the 28-year-old "This is a chance for me now to get my name out there. If I go out there and just do what I have been doing in the gym, people are in for a good night's boxing."

It was reported earlier this week that Burns' manager Alex Morrison had made an official protest against the appointment of Englishman Terry O'Connor as one of the judges. Morrison has been unhappy with O'Connor's decision making in past fights, but Burns is not letting the matter trouble him. "We got told the other day that it is three English judges and an English referee as well, but it is up to me to take it out of the referee's hands," Burns said.