Bellew vs Flores: Ryan Burnett outpoints Ryan Farrag in British bantamweight title defence

Ryan Burnett impressively outpointed Liverpool's Ryan Farrag to make the first succesful defence of his British bantamweight title on Saturday.

The unbeaten Belfast protege, trained by Adam Booth, proved too slick and technically astute as he boxed his way to a unanimous points victory over the home fighter in an entertaining affair in Liverpool.

The 24-year-old, who beat Anthony Settoul and Cesar Ramirez earlier in the year, continues his march towards a world title, while former European champion Farrag will look to come again.

Speaking to Sky Sports after winning by scores of 118-111, 118-110 and 117-111, Burnett said: "I'm happy with that performance, I really wanted to prove that I can have a fight.

"I needed a fight like that. I want the fans to watch me and then want to come out and see me again.

"Farrag was hard as nails, I hit him with some big shots, but he stayed in there"

Despite going into Farrag's backyard, Burnett got a warm reception from the Echo Arena crowd and tried to dictate the fight from the get go.

Farrag though was no pushover and in the first few rounds both fighters were happy to take their time and feel each other out as the momentum swung back and forth.

It was in the third that Burnett, an excellent amateur, started to find his rhythm and he landed some solid left hooks to set the pace for the rounds to follow.

Farrag was full of fire and energy, but struggled to match the skill set and speed of his unbeaten opponent and was on the end of some big shots in the fifth round. 

The next round was no different and the Belfast bantamweight again sent in some fierce shots to the body as he worked away at Farrag who was regularly backed up against the ropes.

Burnett was proving a class above and his switching from orthodox to the southpaw stance was giving Farrag lots of problems.

The Liverpool fighter refused to give in though and as the fight reached the later stages, Farrag came back into the contest and landed several powerful hooks.

In a classic British title scrap, both fighters traded blows and gave it their all in the final rounds, but it was Burnett who came out on top.

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