RYAN Burnett spent six weeks sleeping in his car when his career was going nowhere, now he’s six weeks away from fighting for a world title.
The north Belfast bantamweight takes on IBF champion Lee Haskins at the Odyssey Arena on June 10. He says he’s “buzzing” for the chance to take on Haskins on home soil and, having been through some tough times, there’s no way he intends to let this long-awaited opportunity pass him by.
“I’m buzzing,” he said.
“Fighting for a world title is something that every boxer builds towards all their life and I’m grateful that it is here now for me.”
2010 Olympic Youth Games gold medallist Burnett found himself homeless, broke and on the ropes when he split with his first pro coach Ricky Hatton two years ago. He left Manchester hoping to find a new coach in London but until Adam Booth stepped in Burnett and his dad Brian spent their nights in a Vauxhall Mokka.
“This definitely didn’t come easy for me,” he said.
“I had to go through a lot of obstacles that many, many boxers don’t have to get past. I’m just fortunate enough that I’ve come out the other end and now I’m within touching-distance of becoming world champion.
“When I left Ricky Hatton I couldn’t afford to pay my rent so I had to leave the place I was living in and I had no income whatsoever, I had nowhere to go, I had nothing.
“Things were really bad for me, I wasn’t talking to anybody and me and my dad ended up sleeping in a car.
“It was difficult but I always knew that things would come together. Lucky enough I was able to get with Adam, get myself back on my feet and get the ball rolling. Adam believed in me, he always said I was a good talent and I could go to the top and now I’m going to prove that I’m at world level.”
His opponent Haskins produced the signature performance of his career when he out-pointed Ivan Morales at take the IBF title in Cardiff this time last year.
The 33-year-old can blow hot and cold but he has won his last eight on-the-trot and, with his ability to switch back and forth from orthodox to southpaw, he is a bag of tricks who will cause Burnett problems.
“He’s tricky but he hasn’t fought anybody like me,” said Burnett (16-0).
“He hasn’t fought anybody with the tenacity I’ll bring on the night. I know what to expect, I know how to beat him and I’ll be working on it day-in, day-out until fight night.”
Details of the undercard on the June 10 Matchroom bill have not been confirmed but Belfast-based super-featherweight Anthony Cacace, cruiserweight Tommy McCarthy, welter Matthew Wilton and unbeaten lightweight Paul Hyland jnr could all feature.
Cacace is due to take on Martin J Ward for the British title and, while that fight could take place in London on the same date, it seems a natural fit for the Odyssey bill.
Meanwhile, Belfast flyweights Paddy Barnes and Luke Wilton could be on collision course for the WBO (EU) flyweight title in a Queensbury Promotions show at the Waterfront Hall on June 17.
The Irish News understands that negotiations between double Olympic medallist Barnes and Commonwealth title challenger Wilton are ongoing.
Wilton and Barnes have sparred in the past and both sides are understood to be keen to take the fight. If a deal is done an intriguing clash could be in store.
Barnes has only had two fights as a pro but his experience at amateur level, including three Olympic Games and a stint in the semi-pro World Series of Boxing, makes up for that.
Wilton (17-5-1) has been around British title level for several years now but he has been unable to make the breakthrough.
His last three losses all came against good calibre opponents – Burnett’s opponent Haskins, former British flyweight champion Kevin Satchell and current super-flyweight king Charlie Edwards.
