RYAN Burnett says the pressure will all be on Lee Haskins when the pair clash for the Bristolian’s IBF bantamweight title at the SSE Arena on June 10.
The pair came face-to-face at a press conference at the Europa Hotel yesterday to officially announce the summer showdown that has been named ‘Belfast Boy’. It prompted Haskins’s manager, Jamie Sanigar, predicting the gulf in experience between his man, a veteran of 37 fights with 34 wins, and the 16-0 Burnett will be a case of “a man against a boy”.
This was as feisty as it got, however, with both boxers preferring to avoid the trash talk. And while Burnett will be the home attraction on the night, he believes he can go into his first shot at World honours in a relaxed mood.
“There’s no pressure on me,” insisted the north Belfast man.
“I’m only 24, this is all new to me. If there’s pressure on anyone it’s Lee Haskins because he’s the champion coming to my back yard to defend his belt.”
Haskins won his title against Ivan Morales in Cardiff 12 months ago and has since defended the belt against Stuart Hall to cap an impressive career for the 33 year-old Bristolian who has also claimed European, British, Commonwealth, English and WBA Inter-Continental belts and will certainly prove to be a tricky customer for Burnett to
get by.
While he has been there and done it in the past, the 33 year-old acknowledges he too has a tough night ahead against the Adam Booth-trained charge.
“I’ve watched a lot of Ryan Burnett and I’ve always thought he was a great talent,” he said.
“He’s working with Adam Booth so they’ll both be ready for this fight. I’m coming to the end of my career so I want these tough fights and prove I still have it.”
His manager, Sanigar, was a little more abrasive, however, and feels his man is being over-looked.
“Lee Haskins is a decorated champion,” he stressed.
“In the last nine-and-a-half years he’s only had one defeat. He’s beaten a world champion. Lee is a tremendous talent and he doesn’t get the credit he deserves as one of Britain’s world champions.
“He’s [Burnett] never featured at European or World level and Lee has been fighting at this level for years… it’s that difference in experience and it’s a man against a boy.”
While he may lack that world experience, Burnett’s trainer, Adam Booth, feels his man is primed to step out of the shadows and has full confidence he will prevail on the night. Like Burnett, though, he refuses to dismiss the threat posed by the defending champion.
“I want to give Lee Haskins a lot of credit and respect. He’s been around the block for a number of years and he knows how to win,” said Booth.
“I know full well that Lee
Haskins is the type of guy that a lot of people will make the cardinal mistake of underestimating. We won’t.”
Having spent the majority of his 16-fight career on the road, it promises to be a special night for Burnett who tops the bill that includes a host of local talent, including Paddy Gallagher, Paul Hyland Jnr, Feargal McCrory, Matthew Wilton and James Tennyson who looks likely to make a huge step up against ex-Lee Selby and Josh Warrington foe, Joel Brunker.
Others are likely to be added, including some of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable, and Burnett is determined to make his big night one to remember.
“This is something I’ve been wanting for a long time… through all the hard work and ups and downs I’m eventually here and I’m very excited for this fight,” he added.
“I know I’m going to have a tough fight… He’s only been beaten once in nine years so that goes to show the level of this guy. He’s a great world champion, but I know that this is my time.”
