RYAN BURNETT BELIEVES world-title unification success against rival champion Zhanat Zhakiyanov will put him on the path to becoming an Irish boxing great.
IBF world bantamweight champion Burnett came face to face with WBA title holder Zhakiyanov of Kazakhstan today at the formal fight launch of their October 21 bout, which will take place at Belfast’s SSE Odyssey Arena.
The showdown will mark the first time a world-title unification contest has taken place on the island of Ireland as 25-year-old Burnett aims to become just the second Irish fighter after fellow Belfast native Carl Frampton to become a unified world champion by winning two titles in one weight class.
“This is a big fight, this is to unify the division,” said Burnett ahead of the 118lb clash. “I could’ve taken a different path… but I don’t want just to be a world champion, I want to be a great world champion.
“And fighting Zhanat in my eyes will make me a great world champion when I win,” added the 25-year-old, who opted against fighting his Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez, the mandatory challenger for his IBF title, to instead take on fellow champion Zhakiyanov.
The 33-year-old Kazakh, who carries a 27-1 record, is a former gym-mate of Burnett from the Irishman’s time training under Ricky Hatton before he linked up with current coach Adam Booth.
“It’s very serious business, the same as the last fight was very serious,” said Burnett, who defeated Bristol’s Lee Haskins to claim the IBF portion of the world championship last June.
“Once I got that [IBF] title, honestly I wasn’t satisfied and I realised very quickly that I wanted more. I said to Adam [Booth], ‘I’m happy, but I want more’.
“The opportunity came where I could’ve defended the title or go for something bigger, but without a shadow of a doubt I’m going for something bigger.”
While Ireland’s former Olympic Youth medallist had previously struggled to attract media coverage and public attention due to the fact that he has, for the most part, built his undefeated 17-0 record in England, Burnett believes he is now on his way to becoming a household name in Irish sport.
The 25-year-old is greatly enjoying the backing of his hometown, having seen a mural of his IBF world-title fight celebrations recently painted on his native Antrim Road.
I got a phonecall from my mum and she said, ‘they’re putting your face on the wall here’ and I was so proud. I grew up here as a kid… it makes me very proud and it gives me an extra bit of a push.
Promoter Eddie Hearn claimed that he has noticed that his fighter has grown in confidence since his dominant points victory over Haskins.
“Normally when you win a world title, you have a couple of easy defences and milk it a little bit, but not Ryan Burnett,” said Hearn. “He’s coming straight into one of the biggest fights in the division to create history and create a legacy for himself.
“Has he grown? Not in height, but in stature,” joked the Matchroom promoter. “Look at the whistle on him,” laughed Hearn, using cockney rhyming slang for the fighter’s dapper three-piece suit.
“He’s looking a million dollars – because he’s a superstar.”
A cheeky Burnett interrupted his promoter to add: “Do you know why? Because you’re paying for it!”
On a more serious note, Hearn hailed the October fight date as a hugely significant occasion for Irish boxing.
We’re making history on October 21 – it’s the first ever unification fight to take place in Northern Ireland or Southern Ireland and what a fight we’ve got here.
“Your very own IBF world champion Ryan Burnett putting his title on the line against one tough individual.”
A competitive undercard will see Belfast lightweight Paul Hyland Jr take on Dublin’s Stephen Ormond, while Belfast super-featherweight James Tennyson takes on Aberdeen’s Darren Traynor.
Another hometown fighter, highly-rated light-welterweight Tyrone McKenna also has a big opportunity on the Sky Sports bill as he takes on Hull veteran Tommy Coyle.
“I’ve been plugging away fighting and finally a name has stepped up to fight me,” said undefeated McKenna (14-0-1). “I think it’s going to be a serious fight and very entertaining.
“I’ve sparred at a high level, but I believe I’m above domestic level now and I want to show that.”
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