The Ricky Burns story at junior welterweight will begin against Leonardo Esteban Gonzalez on Oct. 4.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn announced on Thursday that Burns, a former lightweight and junior lightweight titlist, will face Gonzalez in his junior welterweight debut on a card at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.

Scotland's Burns (36-4-1, 11 KOs), 31, is winless in his last three fights. He retained his belt with a questionable draw against Raymundo Beltran last September, then lost his belt by clear decision to Terence Crawford in March and then lost a split decision to Dejan Zlaticanin in June. At that point, Burns decided to move up in weight and Hearn scheduled him for Oct. 4.

"I believe that the move up in weight will really benefit me," Burns said. "The lightweight limit [of 135 pounds] was proving tougher to make in my last few fights so that's now behind me and I can concentrate on working on my boxing in the gym with [trainer] Tony Sims," Burns said. "It has been a tough year following the Raymundo Beltran fight but I'm feeling great in the gym and the fire and desire is still there to achieve big things. I'm looking to show in Leeds that I've still got the goods to challenge for major belts and ultimately, win another world title."

Gonzalez (22-5-1, 15 KOs), 32, of Argentina, has faced one recognizable opponent, former titlist Paulus Moses, who knocked him out in the seventh round in October 2013. In 2012, Burns outpointed Moses in a lightweight title defense.