Keir Murray
BBC Scotland at Manchester Arena

Ricky Burns likes to invest in a new pair of designer shorts for bouts such as these.

Tonight he's surely gone for a pair of the most glittery stars-and-stripes shorts available. MC Michael Buffer is being blinded by the bling. By the way, the atmosphere is incredible!

Ricky Burns has had to drop 5lbs from his last fight, is that going to make an impact on the fight?

It doesn't seem to in the opener, with Burns looking quick and a right cross finds the target, leaving Crolla with a mark on his nose. A close opener, just as we expected it to be.

And, with perfect timing, we are under way in Manchester with Anthony Crolla taking on Ricky Burns.

The home fans are the ones making the noise, can Burns silence the home support?

Image source, .

Ricky Burns, a former three-weight world champion, who has won titles at super-featherweight, lightweight and super-lightweight, said: "If we never got offered the opportunity to fight for the world title at the weight above I could probably still be fighting at lightweight just now. It's been hard but I can do the weight limit as long as I keep at it.

"It's going to be a great fight. Me and Anthony are two normal guys and we like to do our talking in the ring. When that first bell goes that is when we are going to go for it.

"A lot of people have been saying the winner could go on to fight for a world title. I know there has been a lot of talk about where does the loser go from here, but I've not been looking at it. I'm 100% confident of getting the win.

"It [fighting for a fourth world title] would be amazing but I've always said one fight at a time. We know we've got a tough fight against Anthony so he has my full attention."

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier this week, Anthony Crolla spoke to BBC Radio Manchester and revealed he decided to take on Ricky Burns, instead of fighting a weaker opponent.

Crolla said: "The loser has to drop a level and do we want to be doing this at this stage of our careers? I could've taken a much easier fight, but I'm in boxing for the biggest nights possible.

"With the great support I have, the fans come out and they deserve the big fights. I didn't think it would be right to be involved in a fight when I am a big, big favourite to win.

"I'm as hungry as ever and I want to become a two-time world champion."

You can listen to the full interview with BBC Radio Manchester below.

And that is it. It only lasts three rounds and Chris Eubank wins it.

That was quite some statement.

Eubank was simply too fast and too strong for his opponent nicknamed the Robot.

Eubank unleashes a quick left and right to stun Yildirim and then catches him clean on the chin with a shuddering left hook.

Yildirim falls to the floor so hard that the referee waves it off immediately.

Image source, Reuters

That knockdown seems to have unsettled Yildirim with Eubank whipping combinations to the head and body. He also evades any answer from Yildirim ducking and weaving out of danger.

The two men try to muscle each other out in centre ring and Yildirim launches a last ditch attack.

But Eubank completely in control.

Image source, Reuters

Keir Murray
BBC Scotland at Manchester Arena

"Sweet Caroline" is being sung by 10,000 fight fans in Manchester. Some of them even know the verses! Not long until the boxers emerge to this crazy cauldron of noise.

Not long now.

Anthony Crolla may well have the support of Manchester United, but Scotland international striker Tony Watt is cheering on Ricky Burns tonight.

Anthony Crolla is a huge Manchester United fan and the team have sent their support to him before tonight's fight.

BBC Sport app users may need to click on the link to see the tweet.

Koba Fern: The Turkish fans use the banner welcome to hell, @ChrisEubankJr, external is the devil - he's right at home. I got Chris in seventh.

Image source, reu

WBA world bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell doesn't know who to back in the big fight.

BBC Sport app users may need to click on the link to see the tweet.

Keir Murray
BBC Scotland at Manchester Arena

Anthony Crolla's last two bouts, also at the Manchester Arena, were for the WBA world lightweight title. He lost both contests against Jorge Linares on unanimous points decisions.

However, since losing the rematch in March the 30-year-old says he has had time to consider his next move.

"I love this sport," he says. "I've been away with the family and spoken to the people around me and I know that I still have so much to give and there's plenty left in the tank. I never shy away from a fight."

The Manchester Arena has been like a second home for Anthony Crolla.

This will be his 12th fight there, and eight of his last nine bouts - including his world title wins, draw and losses - have been held there.

"Whenever I fight at that arena, I feel like it gives me an advantage," said Crolla.

"People say once the bell goes, it is just you and your opponent, which is true, and Ricky is well travelled and experienced. But I do believe it gives me that extra gear."

Image source, Getty Images

Yildirim takes a knee after a sharp uppercut from Eubank Jr after a confident start from the champion.

But the Turkish fighter is able to battle on, but what a start from the Brit.

Image source, Reuters

Both fights are going to be happening at the same time, so we'll do our best to keep you up to date with all the events from Manchester and Stuttgart.

Right, we are under way in Germany. This is how the fighters compare.

Image source, .

Normally in the build-up to a fight, the fighters scream insults at each other, desperately nudging up those viewing figures.

But there is no Mayweather v McGregor-style sideshow this time around, with both boxers saying how much they respect the other.

Burns posted this picture of the pair of them on Friday looking like great mates. They won't be friends when they step foot in the ring though.

BBC Sport app users may need to click on the link to see the tweet.

Former Scotland striker Paul Dickov is one of those who is pleased that there is 'no boring trash talk'.

BBC Sport app users may need to click on the link to see the tweet.

Scotland's Ricky Burns has had a celebrated career and is only the third British fighter to have won world titles at three different weights.

The Coatbridge boxer, who has had 48 fights with 41 wins, started at super-featherweight and won his first WBO world title in 2010 against Roman Martinez with three defences before quickly being crowned a world champion at lightweight in 2012.

He was commended for his valiant performances against Raymundo Beltran, where he fought to a draw with a broken jaw, and a loss against Terence Crawford, who recently became the undisputed world champion at light-welterweight.

However, further tough defeats against Dejan Zlaticanin, Omar Figueroa and recently Julius Indongo, where he lost his third weight world crown, have left the Scottish hero in limbo. He has dropped down from super-lightweight to lightweight as he hopes to get his career heading back in the right direction.

Image source, Getty Images