Ryan Burnett ready to follow Frampton’s world title path
There are a lot of similarities between Ryan Burnett and Carl Frampton.
Both are wee men from North Belfast.
Both were top amateurs, with Frampton winning EU silver and Burnett Youth Olympic gold and World Youth silver.
Both trained under the legendary Gerry Storey at Holy Family GG.
Both have relocated to London for their pro careers.
And, if things go to plan on Saturday night, both will have claimed IBF world title wins in their home city.
Burnett [16(9)-0] will challenge IBF bantamweight champion Lee Haskins [34(13)-3(3)] on home turf at the SSE Odyssey Arena this weekend, and the 24 year old agrees that he is following a similar path to ‘The Jackal.’
Frampton was something of a boxing bigger brother to Burnett, and the Adam Booth-trained fighter explained to Sky Sports how “I have always looked up to Carl.”
“I’ve trained alongside him. I’ve watched him go from the amateurs to the professional ranks, to winning his first title, becoming a world champion, then multi-weight world champion.”
“I’ve always looked up to him, because he’s always been that step ahead of me. I get a lot of inspiration with the path that he has followed.”
Location and time have seen the two drift apart, but the boxing bond remains. Frampton still is a keen observer and commentator on Burnett’s career, while Burnett continues to view Frampton as an similarly-minded idol.
Noting the likenesses between the pair, Burnett described how Frampton is “just a humble guy who works hard and knows what he wants.”
“I think that is definitely a key part of his success. That’s the way I am naturally, so I think I’m following the right path.”
The Burnett-Haskins undercard at present also features an Irish cruiserweight title fight between Luke Watkins and Ian Tims, Feargal McCrory v Paul Holt, Paul Hyland v Adam Dingsdale, James Tennyson v Ryan Doyle and appearances from Carl McDonald, Sean Magee, Matt Wilton, Tyrone McCullagh, Paddy Gallagher, Padraig McCrory, and the return of Mike Perez.
Tickets for ‘Belfast Boy’ on June 10th at the SSE Odyssey Arena cost £30, £40, £60, £100, and £150 (VIP), and can be bought from the boxers involved or HERE.
