Ricky Burns knew he could have no complaints when the scorecards were announced and the referee raised Terence Crawford's hand to end the game Scot's two-year reign as WBO lightweight world champion at the SECC in Glasgow last weekend.

Over 12 rounds in front of a sell-out crowd Burns was outboxed by the slick, switch-hitting man from the US, who in truth looked as though he could have gone up a gear or two if need be.

That he didn't have to go up a gear suggests that, while a superb champion, Burns is a level short of competing against the very best in the lightweight division.

Moreover, based on his uncustomary tentativeness when going forward, it poses questions over the psychological impact of the broken jaw he sustained in his previous fight against Raymundo Beltra at the same venue in November.

Burns and his promoter Eddie Hearn were keen to keep alive the possibility of another title shot in the near future at the post fight press conference, perhaps against the holder of one of the other lightweight belts.

But even if a title shot is not forthcoming in the short term there are tantalising possibilities for the Scot when it comes to the domestic scene, with British lightweight boxing buzzing at present.

Fighters the calibre of Anthony Crolla and John Murray - whose two-round demolition of Scotland's John Simpson on the Burns undercard last week stood out - vying for honours.

A resurgent Kevin Mitchell, who sparred with Burns leading up to the Crawford fight, is another possibility, while just below them in the current pecking order you've got Derry Matthews and Tommy Coyle.

One of the main downsides to Burns's defeat last weekend is that it signals the end of big-time professional boxing cards coming to Scotland for a while.

It's hard to see any Scottish fighter being able to sell out arenas such as the SECC anytime soon, including Burns.

If he doesn't come back from this defeat, Burns can be proud of a reign as first super featherweight and then lightweight world champion in which he conducted himself with grit and courage inside the ring and humility and grace outside.

After the Carl Froch and George Groves rematch has been confirmed for Wembley Stadium on May 31, Hearn is a man on top of the world at present.

The challenge of selling out the 80,000-capacity stadium to break all records for a domestic fight may be a daunting one, but given the epic quality of the first fight and its controversial conclusion, it is undeniably possible.

The war of words between both fighters has already begun, as has the debate between fans of both men. It has been a long time since British boxing has seen a domestic rivalry to match Benn v Eubank in the early '90s. Now it is here fans of both fighters and the sport in general should cherish it.

Another great date to mark on your calendar is May 3, when Floyd Mayweather faces Argentina's Marcus Maidana at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

A Mayweather fight is more than a boxing show, it's a major sporting event, confirming the P4P world champion's status as a legend in the sport.

At this stage of his career, even at the ripe-old boxing age of 37, it's a brave man or woman who would bet against him. I learned this lesson four or five fights ago.

As if Mayweather v Maidana isn't enough to whet the appetite for May 3, there are strong rumours that the undercard will see Amir Khan face off against Adrien Broner.

This would be a headline fight all by itself, pitting two world-class contenders and former world champions with something to prove against one another.

Khan was being touted as Mayweather's next opponent until Maidana was confirmed.

However with Mayweather sending out a tweet suggesting that if Khan beats Broner then he will fight him next, motivation should not be a problem when it comes to the Bolton fighter's preparations.