Barry Morrison, the former British light-welterweight champion from Motherwell, hopes that following in the footsteps of former world champions Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt will help him chart a path to fresh success, writes Jim Black.

Morrison has rejected the chance to appear on a Sky show at the end of next month in favour of topping the bill at the St Andrew's Sporting Club, in the belief that it can provide him with a launch pad.

The 27-year-old will face Hungarian veteran Janos Petrovics in a non-title bout after begging promoter Tommy Gilmour to put him on the annual Burns Night show.

Morrison admitted he had developed a superstition after learning that he is one of only a handful of champions never to have fought at the home of Scottish boxing during its 35-year existence.

He has also been promised a fresh tilt at the British title he lost to Colin Lynes provided he deals with the threat posed by 36 year old Petrovics, who represented his country at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

Gilmour said: "Lynes is due to fight for the European title before facing David Barnes and my partner, Matchroom, has promotional right to both fighters so Barry is guaranteed another British title shot.

"But he has to deliver against Petrovics. I plan to give Barry one more fight after that then I think we could be talking about him facing the winner of Lynes and Barnes for the Lonsdale Belt before next summer.

"I believe Barry has it in him to become champion again."