STICKS, STONES and punches may break his bones, but words will never hurt Ricky Burns.

That was the message from the Scot as he stands just five days away from one of the most – if not the most – defining fights of his career.

The 33-year-old from Coatbridge will go toe-to-toe with Italian Michele Di Rocco in the SSE Hydro this Saturday, attempting to make history as the only Scot to be crowned world champion at three different weights.

Following a run of three fights without victory in 2014 – including sustaining a fractured jaw against Raymundo Beltran at the SECC – Burns was forced to take an alternative path as he looked to seek out his future in boxing.

There have been those who thought the long road back to the top of his profession was a journey he would never complete, but now, in the run-up to the vacant WBA super-lightweight title fight, he is keen to prove that he is back where he belongs.

“I wouldn’t say criticism hurts me, it’s just annoying,” said Burns. “Most of them [issuing it] don’t have a boxing background.

“Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but how would they feel if people were turning up at their work and giving them abuse? People see me on TV, but they don’t know if you have other things going on in your life so they would be better keeping their opinions to themselves.

“I need to go out there and do it for my family and those who believe in me."

Burns’s final destination is yet to be decided, but one thing that is not in question is how arduous the last leg has been, for several reasons.

Injuries, a stable change and bankruptcy are just a few of the obstacles he has had to overcome to get to where he is today.

“Obviously, the last couple of years have been a bit difficult for me with stuff outside of boxing to try to deal with, but, with the size of fight and having been away from Glasgow for two years, I can’t wait to get back in there," he said.

“There have been a few personal issues I’ve had to deal with, but this camp couldn’t have gone any better and the fact that this means more than anything to me spurs me on.

“I know Di Rocco said that he expects total war. If it comes down to that, I am more than prepared.

“Personally, I would rather have had it at lightweight, but it’s one of these things you can’t say no to."

*Ricky Burns was speaking ahead of this Saturday's fight, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 1 HD.