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Ryan Burnett makes history with unification victory in Belfast

Belfast fighter takes unanimous decision against Zhanat Zhakiyanov

Ryan Burnett (right) in action against Zhanat Zhakiyanov during their IBF, WBO and IBO World Bantamweight Championship bout at SSE Arena in Belfast. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Sun Oct 22 2017 - 13:27

Ryan Burnett made history as he beat Zhanat Zhakiyanov by unanimous decision in their WBA and IBF world bantamweight unification fight in Belfast.

The home favourite came through the biggest test of his career to date to claim an 18th straight win after 12 rounds against his Kazakh opponent, who was trained by Ricky Hatton.

The 25-year-old became the first Irishman to unify a decision in Belfast, with the judges’ scorecards reading 118-110, 119-109 and 116-112.

Burnett said: “I saw this so clearly. It was a tough, tough fight for me, but I had to dig deep and I did it.”

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Josh Warrington set up a world title shot against IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby by beating Dennis Ceylan in their final eliminator bout in his home town of Leeds.

Warrington was always in control but it took 10 rounds for the 26-year-old to stop the Dane.

He told BT Sport 1: “I did feel that pressure after the first four or five rounds. I’m there now. I wanted it that bad . . . and I’ve got there in the end,” said Warrington

Earlier, Zelfa Barrett made it 19 successive wins by beating Chris Conwell to claim the vacant English super-featherweight title.

Leicester's Lyon Woodstock edged past Craig Poxton on points to become the new European super-featherweight champion, while Jack Catterall claimed the British super lightweight title with a points decision over Tyrone Nurse.

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