Ricky Burns will return to the scene of his first professional victory at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow tonight.

The Coatbridge fighter will challenge overwhelming favourite Roman Martinez for the WBO super-featherweight title in front of what looks set to be a full house.

Burns' first fight as a professional was a four-round victory in October 2001 at the same venue and he is looking to defy the odds and come out on top again this time.

"It's where I had my first professional fight and Marvin Hagler tipped me to go all the way," he recalled.

"It's a chance to go out there and fulfil that. I hadn't looked at the venue as being a good omen - but it could be.

"I just found out that the show is heading for a complete sell-out so there are going to be 2,500 fans there.

"I'm really looking forward to it and I couldn't ask for better support.

"Whenever I fight in Glasgow, the atmosphere is always good and it's going to be the same on Saturday night."

He added: "I've always said a boxing ring is a boxing ring, it doesn't really matter where the fight takes place.

"In saying that, home advantage is always great.

"You've got your home comforts for a couple of weeks before the fight and you've got your own crowd spurring you on through the fight.

"It's going to be an electric atmosphere and the fight is going to be awesome."

There has not been a world title fight in Scotland since Scott Harrison out-pointed Australian Nedal Hussein in November 2005.

But Burns insisted: "There is already a lot of pressure on me as it is so I'm not really paying too much attention to things like that.

"I'm just focusing on the job I've got to do.

"We've trained for a hard 12 rounds. If you look at his record, 15 knockouts in 25 fights, he is a big puncher.

"But I've been in with big punchers before and I've already proved that I can take a shot.

"The big punching side of it, I'm not too fussed about that. People can expect fireworks in this fight."

He added: "I would say I'm in the best condition of my career so far.

"Because I knew I was stepping up to world title level, I couldn't leave anything to chance so we have trained and prepared for 12 hard rounds if it goes the distance."