Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
AND THE NEW... FRAMPTON
Contender Ryan has Hearned comparison
EDDIE HEARN reckons it is fair to label Ryan Burnett “the new Carl Frampton” as the Matchroom promoter backed his Belfast protégé to become a household name in Irish and world boxing. Hearn yesterday launched Burnett’s (16-0) world-title challenge against IBF bantamweight champion Lee Haskins (34-3) with a June 10 fight set for the SSE Odyssey Arena in Belfast. It is the first time the 24-year-old will headline a bill in his hometown, but Hearn reckons he’ll be the next star of Irish boxing. “This is a good fight, it’s your kid challenging for a world title – whether [people] want to claim it’s the new Frampton or not,” said Hearn – who promoted Frampton during his run to the European super-bantamweight title in 2013. “Ryan won’t want that label, but I think that it’s a good selling point. It’s not too untrue - he’s a bantamweight, he’s a young, undefeated fighter who was a great amateur and he’s from Belfast, fighting for a world title. He’s young, good looking, talented. Now let’s find out - is he any good? Burnett has been busy completing his pro apprenticeship on Matchroom undercards in England, but Hearn insisted now is the time to take a punt on the former World Youth Championship medallist. “I’m a realist and I know the market in terms of where Ryan Burnett is in terms of profile,” said Hearn. “But I’m not the type of person to sit at home and think, ‘Oh, I don’t know if it’s going to work or not?’ “F**k it, let’s roll the dice and find out.” Burnett, who works with Andy Lee’s trainer Adam Booth in London, said: “It has been hard. I live in England away from my family and I don’t get to see them much,” said the 24-year-old. “The sacrifices I have made over the past six years are now paying off.” Haskin’s manager, Jamie Sanigar claimed it will be “man against boy”. But while Burnett shrugged off that comment, he praised his opponent. “He has only been beaten once in nine years, so it would be silly for me not to respect that,” said Burnett. “But I didn’t enter this game just to play a part in it. I entered it to be world champion.”