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Scottish boxer Alex Arthur has ruled out a rematch with Ricky Burns as he is moving up a weight division.

Burns, who defeated Michael Katsidis to become WBO interim lightweight champion last week, lost to Arthur at super-featherweight in 2006.

And, when Coatbridge fighter Burns moved up to lightweight, a rematch between the two Scots had been mooted.

However, Arthur has announced that he will also be moving up a division, to light-welterweight.

Arthur said: "I just want to state that I want to and would love to fight Ricky for the interim title but I am no longer capable of safely making lightweight.

"I lost my WBO super-featherweight title against Nicky Cook because I was dead at the weight having outgrown the super-featherweight ranks, but still went ahead with the bout.

"I have learned from that mistake and do not want to repeat it."

"I actually wrote to my promoter last month and stated in the letter that I was struggling at lightweight but would still like to face the winner of the Burns-Katsidis contest.

"However, with the advice I have been given, I now realise I should move up.

"I hope to return to the ring next year.

"Regardless of where my next fight takes place and who the opponent is, I will be entering the ring as a light-welterweight," he added.