Ricky Burns beats Kevin Mitchell to retain WBO world lightweight title

Ricky Burns was in stunning form as he retained his WBO world lightweight title against Kevin Mitchell in Glasgow.

Referee Terry O’Connor stopped the fight in the fourth round after the Coatbridge fighter had stunned Mitchell with a series of powerful punches.

The fight had been tipped to be too close to call by many pundits but Burns, 29, flew out the blocks.

Both fighters threw a succession of punches to leave the crowd on the edge of their seats as Mitchell refused to show any weakness.

But he could do nothing as Burns put him down in the fourth.

He got up but the Scot sensed it was time to end the contest to knock his opponent down again to retain his title.

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