Ricky Burns's boxing future is hanging in the balance after the WBO world lightweight champion broke his jaw in his title defence against Raymundo Beltran.

The scrapper is undergoing surgery for the injury, but his promoter Eddie Hearn is unsure whether he will ever take to the ring again.

"He underwent surgery this morning," he told BBC Sport. "Everyone's talking about his next move. I can't even guarantee he'll box again at the moment.

"It was a horrific injury to suffer. There have been a few occasions when people have boxed on with broken jaws - I couldn't imagine anything worse - but they are extraordinary people, fighters, and he found the bravery to carry on.

"The doctor, who doesn't know a lot about boxing, was quite astonished when I told him he had boxed for half an hour with a broken jaw."

The match between Burns and Beltran ended in a controversial draw and could go to a rematch should the former return to the ring.