Ricky Burns will defend his world title against Namibian boxer Paulus “the Hitman” Moses on March 10.

The fight is the first defence of the interim WBO lightweight belt that Burns won against Michael Katsidis in November.

“He will be a dangerous opponent,” promoter Alex Morrison told STV. “He has several knockouts under his belt.

“He has won 28 out of 29 fights, so it will be a tough test for Ricky

“Crolla was on the cards but we couldn’t agree terms.”

Nineteen of Moses’ 28 wins came by knockout and the 33-year-old has previously been a world champion himself.

After winning the WBA lightweight belt against Yusuke Kobori in 2009, he successfully defended his title once but then suffered his first defeat came when he was being knocked out by Miguel Acosta in May.

“I think this will be a tougher test than Crolla would have been,” Burns’ trainer Billy Nelson said.

“If Ricky wants to be recognised as the world's best lightweight then he’s going to have to face tough fighters. There’s no doubt Moses is in that bracket. He’s a former world champion with a very high KO percentage.”

STV has learned a prospective fight with Anthony Crolla fell through because of a disagreement over how the fight purse will be split. The all-British showdown has now been shelved in favour of a bout with Moses.

The fight is scheduled to be held at Braehead Arena but the venue has not yet been confirmed.