Manchester’s Anthony Crolla (31-6-3) will face Coatbridge’s Ricky Burns (41-6-1) in a tantalising lightweight contest at the Manchester Arena on October 7.

Both former world champions are coming into the fight off the back of defeats, each conceding their world titles in the process.

“Million Dollar” lost his WBA lightweight title to Jorge Linares in September 2016 and was beaten a second time by the Venezuelan in their March rematch.

“Rickster’s” last outing saw the Triple World Champion lose his WBA super-lightweight belt to the unknown Julius Indongo in April.

It’s a make-or-break fight with the winner likely to go on to a world title challenge and the fallen hero seriously considering retirement.

The 30-year-old Englishman stands at 5′ 8½″ with a reach of 67″ and has 13 of his 31 victories via knockout.

The 34-year-old Scotsman has managed 14 victories through knockouts and has a slightly advantageous reach of 70″ and stands at 5′ 10″.

Both share the same number of losses and a similar knockout count, so it makes for a real pick’em fight.

Neither man will give up any ground and fans can expect to see a cracking fight!

Crolla is one of the best when it comes to guard and resilience. He is energetic and you’ve got to say that he will be the fresher and fitter of the two fighters, especially with Burns dropping down a division.

Back-to-back losses means Crolla has the inferior form going into the fight, however, there’s no shame in being outpointed by the classy Linares.

Burns will be playing away at Crolla’s home, although the Mancunian hasn’t won there for 17-months.

The Coatbridge man has enjoyed a majority of his fights in Glasgow so will be miles from home but I doubt a lack of support will affect Scotland’s most successful fighter.

I have considered Burns to be past his best for some time now, but he always seems to have one more big fight in him.

He has been the flag-bearer for Scottish boxing for many years but, sadly, his dominance is drawing to an end.

After 48 bouts and 16 years as a paid puncher, the Scot’s skills are visibly declining and at the age of 34 with many miles on the clock – he has been in close to 400 professional rounds – Burns is resolutely in his twilight years.

His name is etched in the history books as one of the greatest fighters to ever come from our shores.

Here’s hoping that this fight will provide both combatants with a healthy payday to ease the vanquished into a comfortable retirement.

It’s the last roll of the dice for each, but I’d fancy Crolla to edge Burns on points in a cracker of a contest!

We spoke to BetSafe’s Ian Balchin, Boxing odds compiler for the Betsson Group, ahead of the big fight

This weekend’s Anthony Crolla vs Ricky Burns is boxing’s latest Battle of Britain for our Betsafe customers to enjoy.

Both former champions are rolling the dice as the loser of this match may consider their future in boxing all together.

Anthony Crolla will have home advantage for the fight as he has had eight of his past nine fights at the Manchester Arena.

Crolla will hope that this and having the backing of the city’s boxing fans will help him win this fight and our customers agree favouring Anthony Crolla for the win so far.

I am backing Anthony Crolla to win by KO, TKO or Disq and Betsafe are offering this market @ 13/4

I will be also trading this match LIVE for Betsafe customers to bet on as the fight happens.

For all odds and markets on the boxing this weekend, please go to: www.betsafe.com