Playing it safe not an option for Burnett ahead of Zhakiyanov unification

World champion aged 25, just 17 fights under his belt, and undoubtedly inexperienced at ‘world level.’

Jumping straight into a unification certainly is an against the grain move from IBF bantamweight titlist Ryan Burnett [17(9)-0].

However, the Belfast 118lber wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Burnett seeks to unify on Saturday night against WBA champ Zhanat Zhakiyanov [27(18)-1(0)] at the SSE Odyssey Arena in the first unification bout ever to take place on Irish soil.

The Antrim Road man is aiming to become Ireland’s second ever unified champ, after former training partner Carl Frampton, and admits it’s a big risk.

Playing it safe though isn’t in Burnett’s vocabulary.

The 2010 Youth Olympic gold medalist eschewed a mandatory defence against fellow podium topper Emmanuel Rodriguez in favour of a big fight with Zhakiyanov – a clash he admits was the only ever target.

The hungry Ulsterman described to Sky Sports how “we had other options there, but if you take the risk, you’ll get the bigger rewards and if you play it safe – it just doesn’t feel as good.”

“This fight is a risk. I’m only 25, I’ve only had 17 fights and I’m going to unify the division against a great world champion. When I win that fight, it’s just going to make it all the sweeter.”

Reiterating his oft-repeated mantra, Burnett stated that “I don’t want to be just a world champion, I want to become a great world champion and this fight opens up the doors for me to become a great world champion.”

“To be honest, I wouldn’t have my career go any other way.”

Tickets for the night cost £30, £40, £60, £100, £150 (VIP), and are available from the boxers involved or through HERE

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)