According to a report on STV, a battle of former world champions is close to being made - with Ricky Burns taking on Anthony Crolla in an all-British bout later this year.

Burns, the first Scottish boxer to become a three division world champion, is prepared to take on Manchester's Crolla in his home city should the Englishman step up to junior welterweight.

October 14 has been set down as tentative working date for the bout.

Both boxers are looking to bounce back after suffering disappointing defeats in title fights this year and see the clash as the perfect opportunity to get their careers back on track.

Burns failed to unify the super lightweight division in April, when he lost a twelve round unanimous decision in an IBF, WBA and IBO unification bout with Julius Indongo. There was the idea of doing a rematch, but Burns is heading in another direction and Indongo is now signed to face WBC/WBO champion Terence Crawford in a high stakes unification next month.

Meanwhile, Crolla lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Jorge Linares in their rematch for the WBA lightweight crown in March.

Both boxers declared their interest in the fight on social media last night.

Burns said: "Timeline going daft tonight. Fight with Anthony Crolla was offered and I'm right up for it, would be a cracking fight in Manchester or Glasgow."

Crolla replied: "Right offer then so am I mate. Same here whether it be Manchester or Glasgow."

Burns (41-6-1, 14 KOs) has gone 5-4 in his last nine fights, with defeats to Terence Crawford, Omar Figueroa, Dejan Zlatecanin and Indongo. On the other side, Crolla (31-6-3, 13 KOs) has only lost twice in his last thirteen fights, both times to Linares, but he also had three draws with Derry Matthews, Darleys Perez (who Crolla knocked out in the rematch) and Gamaliel Diaz.

Both boxers are promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport.