GREENOCK’S John Simpson stands between Englishman Anthony Crolla and a possible world title shot against lightweight champion Ricky Burns.
Simpson, 30, will face Crolla’s awesome punching power on the undercard of Burns’ WBO mandatory defence against American Terence Crawford at the SECC on March 1.
On his previous ring visit to Scotland, Crolla, 27, from Manchester, destroyed Glaswegian Willie Limond in a showdown for the British lightweight title in November 2011.
He has since claimed the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title, defeating Gavin Rees and Steven Foster in turn to emerge as a world title contender for a crack at Burns should the Coatbridge star be successful against Crawford.
Former British and Commonwealth featherweight champion Simpson boxed at lightweight for the first time in November, losing to Tommy Coyle in Hull on a stoppage.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “Anthony is gunning for a shot at Ricky later this year and a victory over Simpson and a ranked opponent on April 19 in Manchester will put him in prime position.”
Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua will also feature on the Glasgow bill, against Hector Avila, the experienced Argentine who took Dereck Chisora nine rounds.
South Queensferry’s Paul Appleby, the former British featherweight champion, has been matched with unbeaten Scotty Cardle, brother of Raith Rovers winger Joe.
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