At the SSE Arena, in Belfast, Northern Ireland?s Ryan Bennett showed he is a world-class fighter and a threat to anyone in the bantamweight division by comprehensively beating the WBA world champion, Zhanat Zhakiyanov.
In what was the first world title unification fight to ever be held in Ireland, Burnett took the decision on the score-cards of all three judges, with the result being declared as:
? 118 ? 110
? 119 ? 109
? 117 ? 112
all in favour of Burnett.
Speaking about his victory after the verdict had been announced, Burnett remarked,
?It was tough and I had to dig deep, but I did it. I’m now a double world champion.
‘The plan was to keep him at range but he kept coming forward, although with this fight I’ve proved a point.?
The victory takes Burnett?s unbeaten professional record to eighteen wins.
After the fight, which took place at close quarters for most of the twelve rounds, Zhakiyanov?s trainer, Ricky Hatton, had this to say about the verdict,
‘I thought Ryan nicked it and the best man won, but the scores were harsh on Zhanat.’
They probably were but the better fighter, on the night deservedly won.
After returning to the dressing room, Burnett was taken to hospital, merely as a precaution, after complaining of a severe headache.
Burnett Adds WBA Belt to his IBF World Title
