Adam Booth will be “disappointed” if Burnett does not fight for World title in 2017

Adam Booth is confident that Ryan Burnett will fight for a World title in 2017, and he hopes for the bout to take place in Belfast.

Burnett [15(9)-0] defended his British title in exciting fashion at the weekend in Liverpool against Ryan Farrag, and trainer Booth feels that the Belfast man is now “there or there abouts” in terms of a World title shot.

The Dark Lord spoke to IFL TV about the 24 year old’s on-the-road win over Farrag and described how he was “very happy with him. He had to work very hard every round to keep control of the fight. Even though he won the vast majority of the rounds, maybe ten, he had to work to win the rounds which was exactly what I wanted him to do. He boxed long but showed that he could work up close”

“I don’t want to limit Ryan to having ‘a style’ because he’s got so much ability and I want him to be as close to the complete thing as possible. We’ve been working a lot on inside fighting and on Saturday night he got to practice it defending his British title which I was delighted about.”

Booth also credited scouser Farrag for giving Burnett the challenge, and platform to impress, which he needed. The Londoner noted that “Ryan Farrag is a good fighter, he’s a World level fighter. I think the loss to Karim Guerfi made him more determined and more dangerous, so my Ryan probably got the best Ryan Farrag on Saturday night.”

“That fight’s only going to make him a better fighter. It doesn’t compare because the fights don’t compare, the opponents don’t compare. Previous opponents, as soon as they realise what’s in front of them, really went into survival mode with him. Jason Booth had a difficult night just keeping himself safe, same as Anthony Settoul, and Ramirez the last time out as well.”

“I always knew that Ryan Farrag, with his confidence, his arrogant attitude, and also his style of fighting, was always going to be looking to let his hands go, always looking to punish Ryan, and in doing so give Ryan the challenge he needed and the opportunities needed to express himself.”

Supremely confident in his charge, Booth anticipates a Belfast World title clash for Burnett in 2017, but seemed to hint that the North Belfast man will not fight at home until then. Booth outlined how “I’ll be disappointed if he’s not [challenging for a World title in 2017], very disappointed if he’s not, because he’s there or there abouts now.”

“Going to Belfast is the obvious thing with Ryan, it’s going there at the right time. If Ryan can be in position to fight for a World title then what better time to go to Belfast and have one of their boys fighting ferociously for a World title in Belfast.”

“That to me would seem the perfect thing to do.”

Watch Adam Booth’s interview with IFL TV in full below: