Ricky Burns’ plans for a world title warm-up fight have had to be shelved after the World Boxing Organisation refused to sanction the bout.

Scotland Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Burns had wanted to fight at Newcastle’s Metro Arena on December 5 – appearing with fellow Scot Alex Arthur and Greenock’s John Simpson.

The 26-year-old from Coatbridge was due to be on the undercard of Amir Khan’s light-welterweight title defence against Dmitriy Salita.

But the WBO have intervened and sent a letter to Burns’ manager Alex Morrison warning that his proposed world title battle with Roman Martinez would be jeopardised if he fought in Newcastle.

The WBO has also handed Frank Warren – who promotes Burns jointly with Morrison – 20 days to negotiate a deal with Martinez otherwise the fight will be opened to purse bids.

But according to a spokesman for the London promoter Warren is quietly confident he can persuade Martinez to put his title on the line.