Johanneson had Burns on the floor three times

Johanneson floored Burns three times in Leeds for a 116-110 118-109 117-110 verdict and then eyed a showdown with the domestic number one, Alex Arthur.

A Johanneson left hook floored Burns in round seven and brutal body shots put him down again in rounds nine and 10.

Burns survived, but Johanneson went on to secure a relatively comfortable decision in front of his home crowd.

Challenger Burns had taken Arthur the distance in his only previous career defeat.

He had also stepped in at late notice to defeat Britain's number one lightweight Graham Earl in 2005 and had built up an impressive record of 15 victories.

I definitely want to fight Arthur next and I think that performance proved I am ready for him Carl Johanneson

But Johanneson gradually built a healthy points lead before hammering Burns to the canvas for the first time in round seven with a perfectly-executed left uppercut.

Burns regrouped in round eight and posed more problems when he was forced onto the offensive, but his good work was undone when Johanneson landed a short left to floor him for a second time.

Johanneson underlined his dominance with a third knockdown in round 10 before taking the verdict.

Afterwards he turned his attention to former European, Commonwealth and British champion Arthur, who is due to fight Russian Alexander Hrulev for the vacant WBO Intercontinental title on 10 March.

Johanneson said: "I definitely want to fight Arthur next and I think that performance proved I am ready for him.