Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’ll put him to sleep then take his belt to bed!
BURNETT VOWS FIANCEE WILL STAY OUT IN COLD
RYAN BURNETT admits he might have to make some room in his bed if he claims the WBA bantamweight world title on Saturday night.
Burnett joked at yesterday’s press conference that he had swapped fiancée Lara Milner (right) for the IBF belt he won back in June when he beat Lee Haskins at the SSE Arena.
The 25-year-old will return to that same venue on Saturday where he will bid to unify the division against former sparing partner Zhanat Zhakiyanov.
It will be the first time ever a unification bout will have been staged in Belfast. And with history beckoning, Burnett is in no mood to let his fans down.
“To have two belts would be fantastic, and to be the only unified champion in the division would be special,” the North Belfast boxer said.
“Since I won the IBF belt I pushed my fiancée to the side and the belt sleeps beside me.
“And I will have to squeeze another belt in after Saturday night.”
Burnett was in relaxed mood as he faced the press at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall yesterday.
Trainer Adam Booth said it was the “calm before the storm” ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Zhakiyanov, who is trained by Burnett’s former coach Ricky Hatton.
“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,” Burnett added.
“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. “I landed in Belfast on Wednesday and received a warm welcome, which is nice.” Burnett dominated Haskins en route to claiming the IBF title back in June. Four months on, he insists nothing has changed since becoming world champion.
“I don’t feel any different now I am world champion,” Burnett added.
“This is just another fight, that’s just the attitude I like to have.
“I don’t feel this is much different to the Haskins fight, but I am hearing that the tickets have been flying out so I look forward to hearing that roar on Saturday night.”