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
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

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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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

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