Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has hailed the spirit of WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns after his title defence against Jose Gonzalez.

Burns was under heavy pressure for most of the fight, but fought back, eventually forcing his opponent to quit on his stool at the end of the ninth round.

Hearn also spoke about plans to bring a unification fight to Glasgow in September.

"All [Gonzalez] had to do was to win one more round and he was world champion," Hearn told The Guardian. "So, to pull out in those circumstances had to be really really bad.

"He's a class fighter, but I think Ricky broke his heart. In that seventh round he hit Ricky with everything he had, and Ricky came back.

"[IBF champion Miguel Vazquez] is a fight that appeals to us. He's another awkward customer, and the WBA champion Richard Abril is interested. There are loads of options."

The victory was Burns's second defence of his lightweight title.