Ricky Burns recovers from knockdown to take title in stunning fight

In front of 3,000 fans at the Kelvin Hall, Burns climbed off the canvas to take the championship belt from the gallant if rough Roman "Rocky" Martinez of Puerto Rico, a true world champion who went down fighting.

It was astonishing, scintillating stuff by Burns who several times looked on the brink of defeat only to come back each time. The whole contest ebbed and flowed like a Shakespearean drama and truly deserved the description "epic".

In truth, it was a throwback to the days of Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt, the swarthy Martinez reminiscent of Ismael Laguna and Alfredo Pitalua who had their titles removed by the two Scots.

At the end, Martinez was almost out on his feet, but Burns could not have made a worse start to the fight. He tried to go toe-to-toe with the champion late in the first round and was dumped on his pants in the corner.

But it was one of those flash knockdowns, caused by his own imbalance as much as Martinez's punch, and the challenger was instantly up and in defence.

Burns knew he had to fire back, and while many pundits awaited the seeming inevitability of Martinez crushing him, the Scot moved into a different gear and in the third and fifth round he really rattled Martinez - the latter round was probably the best of Burns' career.

Rocky Martinez is from the tougher part of Vega Baja, however, and back came the teeth-gritting champion to upset Burns again.

Burns looked to be struggling, but then miraculously raised his game again, and in the eighth round he bloodied the champion's lips.

The crowd sensed they were seeing something truly special in the annals of Scottish boxing, and the choruses of Flower of Scotland rang out as Burns superseded everything he had ever done, even brushing aside Martinez's recourse to dirty tactics including a punch after the bell.

Just when it seemed that the champion might prevail, Ricky Burns found something magnificent inside himself and moved ahead on points with accurate punches that had the champion in serious trouble in the final minutes, so much so he threw a low blow.

Ricky Burns was not to be denied, and showing new reserves of experience, he took his time to recover and held on for an incredible, amazing and absolutely fantastic victory.

The judges scored it unanimously in Burns' favour by scores of 115-112, 115-112, 115-113, and Scotland had its 12th world professional boxing champion, a man who rose several levels above all his previous form and should now make a fortune - deservedly so.

At the verdict, the crowd noise had the Kelvin Hall rafters in danger of collapse, but it should also be said there was great sportsmanship abounding. As well as his camp's acceptance of the result, Scottish fans queued to shake the hand of the defeated champion. They knew what a great fighter he was, but the whole world today knows that Scotland has a better one.

Ricky Burns, world champion. It makes wonderful reading in Coatbridge.

It makes wonderful reading anywhere.

In the chief supporting bout, Greenock's John Simpson was robbed of his Commonwealth Featherweight title by a piece of bizarre judging.

In an extremely close fight, which admittedly could have gone either way, Scotland's Vic Loughlin called it 116-114 for Simpson, while Bill Edwards of England gave it to Smith by the same scoreline - that is understandable given the close nature of the fight.

But Ian John Lewis of England scored it 116-112 for Smith, a ridiculous scoreline from a judge who usually calls things much more accurately.

The case for at least one neutral judge from another Commonwealth country - Wales and Northern Ireland are nearby, after all - was never better made.

The Commonwealth authorities must now act to make sure that there is at least an element of neutrality at ringside.

That being said, Simpson was a shadow of his usual self, and just seemed unable to deal with the swarming, bustling, aggressive style of the 25-year-old former Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

At the very least, the judging outcome must mean that Simpson should be given a rematch, this time in front of at least one neutral judge.

The night belonged to Ricky Burns, however. All Scotland should be proud of him.