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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Totally negative football by Ireland even now that Armenia are down to 10 men.
Can’t understand why Seamus Coleman doesn’t get a chance to play for Ireland
Need to change Headline^^ Its meant to be Armenia.
Cox justified his selection and Walters was impressive when he came on. This is just as well given that Doyle & (prob) Keane will miss the play off. Otherwise, wouldn’t be hugely optimistic – McGeady and Kelly were terrible while Andrews & Whelan were their usual dull uninspiring selves.
Agree with everything except Andrews. He’s a ball-winner and has a big role in the side. I never noticed him while watching him on the telly but I was at the match today and he’s a pretty decent footballer. Definitely happy to see his name on the team sheet.
Short straw again Adrian ?
I’m predicting it’ll still be nil-nil right up to the 89th minute and suddenly Richard Dunne will charge down the pitch with the ball, while at the same time carrying the rest of the team in a fireman’s life and eventually bundle the ball over the line to scrap that vital draw.
Yes I have a vivid imagination.
Can’t see us winning with that line up. Hope I’m wrong thou. Cmon lads
What is it that makes me feel that even if this Irish team were in a European final I would still fell so uninspired! I wish it were different. Hopefully some new guys can add some spark to our play, but I have to hand it to trap there is a control element to this team that is paying off in terms of results, all we have to do is think back to the staunto years!…headless chickens!
The Staunton years??? – Oh yeah, sorry, I had erased that from my memory.
We have the guys to add a spark to our play but trap has no confidence in our ability to play football
damn..why is the match on this early!!?
Sigh.