CONTRARY TO THE tiresome, staged trash talk that so often overshadows big fights, today’s final press conference ahead of Saturday’s world bantamweight unification between Ryan Burnett and Zhanat Zhakiyanov was a fairly friendly affair.
A former protégé of Ricky Hatton, IBF world champion Burnett will come up against his old trainer and ex-gym-mate Zhakiyanov – the Kazakh WBA titleholder – when the fighters clash in the first ever world title unification bout to take place on Irish soil at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena, live on Sky Sports, this weekend.
The home favourite – Burnett is a 2/7 fancy to become only the second Irish fighter to unify titles at one weight class should he follow in the footsteps of fellow Belfast man Carl Frampton – even greeted Hatton with a hug prior on stage prior to the top-table formalities at today’s event.
However, while talk was for the most part civil, there was also an underlying edge to pre-fight statements as both sides recognised the magnitude of a fight that has, to a large degree, struggled to capture the wider public’s imagination across the island, despite the fact that promoter Eddie Hearn expects a crowd of around 7,000 to be in attendance at the Odyssey.
“They’re two nice guys, but there’s not going to be anything nice about the fight because both guys are coming to get stuck in,” said Hatton when quizzed on the clash of the former gym-mates, who sparred together prior to Burnett’s 2014 departure from The Hitman’s Manchester gym.
“This is a real fight city and they’ve got this historic world-title fight, the first time a unification fight is in Belfast and what a fight for it,” the former world champion continued.
When you look at the great fights that have been made recently, Ryan and Zhanat aren’t household names when you’re talking about the likes of Canelo-Golovkin, but from a stylistic point of view I don’t see many fights out there that are better.
The night will have a slightly bittersweet taste for former two-weight world champion Hatton, considering 33-year-old Zhakiyanov – his first world champion as a trainer – will have to overcome a former pupil in Burnett.
Ireland’s former Olympic Youth gold medallist left Hatton’s gym three years ago at the age of 22 during a turbulent personal period for the Mancunian and subsequently went on to claim his IBF world title under the tutelage of Adam Booth, having built an undefeated 17-0 record.
“Zhanat became the first world champion I trained, so apart from winning it myself that was probably my greatest achievement,” said Hatton.
Once you’ve trained a world champion, you want to be involved in unification fights and I didn’t think it was going to be against my buddy [Burnett], but it is.
That is where The Hitman’s words became slightly more targeted as he predicted that Zhakiyanov (27-1 as a pro) will weather any early storm to cause an upset.
“The manner Ryan has done it [won his title] shows there’s more to come from him, but Zhanat can hit and because Ryan’s got that big heart, he sometimes gets involved when he shouldn’t,” claimed Hatton.
“If Zhanat comes through the early rounds – and he might have to come through a few minefields in order to do it – but if he does do it and comes into the trenches that’s where the fight might come over to our side.”
On the opposing side, Booth agreed with the suggestion that Saturday’s bout will decide the best 118-pound fighter in the world as the winner will walk away with two of the four ‘major’ titles available.
While Burnett insisted he does not feel any pressure heading into what, realistically, could be a landmark occasion for Irish professional boxing, it was notable that the 25-year-old praised Booth when discussing his preparations.
The trainer worked the corner of David Haye during his dominant cruiserweight period as well and his WBA heavyweight title reign, while he also put the finishing touches to Emanuel Steward’s work when polishing Andy Lee into a world middleweight champion.
And Burnett believes Booth has him primed to make history on Saturday night.
“There’s no better man to have in your corner than Adam,” said Burnett. “In this training camp we’ve done everything perfectly.
“I’m prepared to deal with anything that goes on and Adam’s prepared me for every situation that happens on the night. I’m just really looking forward to wrapping that other belt over my shoulder.”
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What a hammering! Brilliant stuff!
Tipp by 8 some lad commented earlier.Must be some comeback were in for!!
well done Galway
What went wrong today ?
Can’t blame the ref for that Tipp?
@Peter R: I think you’ll find it was Davy blaming the ref last week not Tipp.
@jane: would ya stop
He took his beating
And nOw Tipp may also.
In fairness
Michael Ryan is one of the best managers out there.
Very likeable
@Peter R: well if that’s Davy taking his beating I wouldn’t like to see him when he’s not.
@jane:
Look
Regarding this game
Maybe Tipp were admiring themselves too much from last weeks game and didn’t give Galway the respect they deserve.
It was men against boys today
@Peter R: looked to me that they didn’t even try today, some of the touches and fumbles were so bad and not even trying to win back lost ball. 4 Tipp management team never moved from the same spot the whole game.
@jane: maybe
But it is only league
Bigger challenges ahead.
Galway wanted it more.
Tipp will be in the final come September
On an aside. A week between semis and final. Bit unfair. Was it not always the 1st Sunday in may??
HT Galway the better team so far,They have alot of wides which could be very costly come the long whistle.
Galway Galway Galwat the great enigma!!!!
Galway should be out of sight. Setting themselves up for a usual second half collapse.
@Kevin Shortall: you might have spoke too soon on that one
@Kevin Shortall: cheers for the insight Kev, maybe you should give Brian Cody a call and tell him your ready to takeover … ;-)
Well done to Galway, some hammering to give Tipp,they will hardly be as bad again expect them now to give Cork a hammering in the first rd,swings and roundabouts.
Congratulations to Tipp on winning the league final.
@Niall Lonergan: deferred coverage???
Tipperary by 8
@lolly ryan: good lad
Ive said it before and ill say it again steven o brien cant hurl
@DerryWanderer14: good lad….us tipp lads must get you down to give us a few sessions so. Those lads picking tipp u16, minor, u21 and senior teams know nothing sure!! Even though you’ve said it before and though you’ll say it again more than likely from that bar stool you’re hurling on!
@mmk: i never said i could hurl i just said steven o brien cant, easily one of the best midfielders in the country with the big ball but his talent is been wasted in with the hurlers
@DerryWanderer14: but he obviously can hurl to a very high level….he has been consistently selected by various mgt for tip teams. Your statement is total crap! Granted he is a fantastic footballer but there’s also many other hurlers on the tipp team who didn’t have a good game today that are fine footballers too but you’re not making that statement about them? O’Briens contributions in the league has been very good v clare, wford, kk, offaly.
Cud the gaa not go to expense of resodding the goalmouths for a league final.So unsightly but only an oul league so who gives a f**k right lads?!
Barely 17k at the Hurling League Final, @gaa need to cop themselves on with ticket prices if it’s outside Dublin…
25€ for Students/OAP’s, same as Adult ticket…?
#GWYvTIP