Michael Gomez, who has upset Scottish hopes on three occasions, wants to strike another blow against the sport north of the border after having thrown down the gauntlet to Ricky Burns, the new Commonwealth super-featherweight champion.

Gomez, who will top the bill at the Gilroy Promotions show at Dalziel Park Country Club on Friday, October 10, has already accounted for Ian McLeod, Craig Docherty and Alex Arthur.

Now 31-year-old Gomez, one of the sport's most outspoken and controversial personalities, is keen to add Burns, from Coatbridge, to his list of conquests.

"Burns is a tough kid but he is not particularly strong," Gomez said yesterday. "I have not seen anything about him that has impressed me. Even though he has never been stopped, I regard Burns as one of the weakest Commonwealth champions.

"I have always yearned for the Commonwealth title and Gomez-Burns would be a sell-out in Manchester or Glasgow. I was the leading contender for four years yet never had the opportunity to fight for the Commonwealth crown, for reasons best known to my promoter at the time, Frank Warren.

"I certainly feel I have titles left in me. I would not still be fighting if I thought differently because I am not in boxing for the love of the sport. I am in it for the money so I can ensure that my kids have all the things I missed out on as a youngster, such as the ability to read and write."

Manchester-based Gomez, who claims that he was born in the back seat of a Dublin taxi, is currently working on his autobiography as well as discussing plans for a proposed film of his life.

He insists, though, that he will be completely focussed on beating Baz Carey in a rematch in 11 days' time after being stung by his rival's comments following their previous meeting, when Gomez was awarded the decision on points.

Indeed, he said, he would not settle for victory in the ring. "He said some very disrespectful things about me and, once I have punched his head in, I am going to take him outside and give him a right good kicking," said Gomez.