I’M NO ALSO RYAN
Burnett warns he’s real deal
RYAN BURNETT believes he has all the tools to dismantle Zhanat Zhakiyanov and become unified world champion. It is high-risk stakes for Burnett in what is the first defence of the IBF crown he won back in June against Lee Haskins. Zhakiyanov (inset) holds the WBA strap, teeing up what will be the first ever unification bout to have been staged in Belfast. It is a fight Burnett could have swerved for an easier opponent, but the 25-yearold is confident he will deal with anything his Kazakh opponent will throw at him. “I expect Zhanat to be how he always is – bullheaded and in a forward line,” Burnett said. “He will come forward as he always does. I think that’s exactly what he will bring to the table, and I have the tools to deal with that. “I have also got the tools to deal with anything else he does. “I focus on him being as best as he can. I don’t care about what tricks he has up his sleeves or whatever else he plans. “I have prepared myself well and I am prepared to deal with any situation that may arise on Saturday night. He may be confident, but so am I. “With different fights you have to become a different boxer. For this fight I will have to be a completely different boxer than I was for my last fight against Haskins. “I am blessed to have Adam [Booth] in my corner, someone who has been in the game for so long and knows everything there is to know.” Just over 4,000 fans watched Burnett become world champion back in June when he outclassed Haskins over 12 rounds at the SSE Arena. Double that crowd will be in attendance tonight to watch his first title defence, providing an electric atmosphere on what is a massive night of boxing. With the stakes rising with every fight, Burnett insists he doesn’t feel any added pressure. “It will be some atmosphere, but it is all in your mind. If you know how to deal it mentally, then physically you will cope with it easily,” he added. “People love a good scrap, but this is boxing. I am not here to stand toe-to-toe with someone for the hell of it. That’s not what I am about. “I do things correctly and smartly, and that’s what I will do on Saturday. I will systematically break him down. “Becoming unified champion is the cherry on top. That doesn’t add any pressure, it just makes things that bit more sweeter. “It is a massive night for me. As I have said before, I don’t want to be a world champion, I want to be a great world champion. “To have the opportunity to fight another world champion in my home city is something I have always wanted. I am blessed to have that opportunity to get that second belt.”