FORMER UNIFIED WORLD bantamweight champion Ryan Burnett has announced his retirement from boxing at the age of 27.
A series of injuries suffered over recent years has forced the Belfast native to hang up his gloves.
Burnett (20-1, 10 KOs) won the IBF world bantamweight title with a decision victory over Lee Haskins in June 2017.
He unified four months later with a unanimous decision win against WBA super world bantamweight champion Zhanat Zhakiyanov.
“Although my retirement is forced through injuries, I carry a heart full of satisfaction and gratitude,” he said on Friday.
“I have achieved my childhood dream and secured my future heath, which is something no amount of money or titles can provide.
“I would like to thank everyone at MTK Global and Top Rank, Sky Sports and Matchroom Boxing for providing me the opportunity to fulfil my potential as a fighter.”
Burnett won Youth Olympic gold as an amateur in 2010 and ended his career on a winning note, knocking out Jelbirt Gomera in six rounds at the Ulster Hall in Belfast back in May.
On the latest episode of The42 Rugby Weekly, Andy Dunne tells Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey about where it all went wrong for Joe Schmidt’s Ireland
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A repeat of the other week would be nice
@Hon Tipp: a repeat of the two matches in the semi from ten years ago would be better!
This being a two legged affair is ridiculous, should suit the pool that their two closest rivals have a couple of more games to contend with in January. Having said that I’m looking forward to the ties,, should be good. :)
@Devilsavocado: United are no rivals of Liverpool anymore my friend…!!
@Devilsavocado: just balances things out nicely with Liverpool having the 2 extra games now this week
@Devilsavocado: extra games in the same country are definitely better than extra games in a short time, thousands of miles away.
@Devilsavocado: I mistook that as their two closest rivals being Man. City and Man Utd……..long way back for the prawn sangers brigade.
Great chance for Leicester to win a cup
Extra games for City and Leicester …..Liverpool enjoying a break from the winter cold….trophy up for grabs Saturday…..Win Win.