Ricky Burns set to face Liam Walsh on December 15

Ricky Burns has his final fight of 2012 set, as the Scottish star will defend his WBO lightweight title on December 15 at London's ExCel Arena against Liam Walsh.

Burns (35-2, 10 KO) has gone 2-0 this year, beating former titlist Paulus Moses on March 10, and following that up with a big TKO win over Kevin Mitchell in Glasgow on September 22. Shortly after the Mitchell fight, promoter Frank Warren began plans to have Burns headline in London on December 15, and now we've got the fight.

Walsh (13-0, 10 KO) is a 26-year-old southpaw who held the Commonwealth title, and in his most recent fight, won the WBO European belt, beating Domenico Urbano on July 14. His biggest win to date was probably his September 2011 victory over Paul Appleby.

Walsh won't be seen as a true world-class opponent, and that's a fair enough call. This is a fight meant to keep Burns busy and fighting more than it is a massive test, but Walsh will have everything to gain and little, if anything, to really lose here. If he so much as makes a competent showing, his stock could go up, given how hot Burns is at the moment.

Also set for the card is George Groves vs Glen Johnson, as well as Billy Joe Saunders taking on Nick Blackwell. BoxNation will televise.