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Ryan Burnett targeting world title fight against WBA 'super' champion Zhanat Zhakiyanov

By Tim Hobbs

Wednesday 22 February 2017 12:35, UK

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Ryan Burnett defended his British belt with a hard-fought points victory over Ryan Farrag in October

Ryan Burnett believes he will win a world title in 2017 and has set his sights on recently-crowned WBA 'super' champion Zhanat Zhakiyanov.

The unbeaten 24-year-old starts his year by facing Mexican Joseafat Reyes on the undercard of Gavin McDonnell's WBC super-bantamweight title fight with Rey Vargas on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Burnett has trained alongside Zhakiyanov in the past and believes he has the capability and knowledge to take the WBA 'super' bantamweight title away from Ricky Hatton's fighter.

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"I have done some work with him because he was at Hatton's gym when I was there and he was very, very hard and I am sure there are plenty of fighters in the division that will avoid him," Burnett told Sky Sports.

"But it's definitely a fight I want and it's definitely one I think I can cope with - and win."

Zhanat Zhakiyanov celebrates with trainer Ricky Hatton after winning the WBA bantamweight title. Picture from @HitmanHatton
Image: Zhanat Zhakiyanov defeated Rau'sheen Warren to win the WBA 'super' title

Burnett's trainer Adam Booth admits Zhakiyanov is "a brute" and needed convincing that the Belfast star is ready to step up to world level against the Kazakh, who overcame two knockdowns to win the belt on points against Rau'sheen Warren this month.

I know that Zhakiyanov is a brute but having spoken to Ryan, he knows how to beat him and he'd jump at the chance of that fight.
Adam Booth

"I know that Ryan genuinely fancies that fight and we have spoken about it and he has convinced me that he is genuinely confident - and that he understands what that fight is - and that he can win," said Booth.

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"I know what Ryan is capable of and I know that Zhakiyanov is a brute, but having spoken to Ryan he knows how to beat him and he'd jump at the chance of that fight."

Burnett defended the British title with a unanimous decision win over Ryan Farrag in October, but wants to move beyond domestic level.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.ECHO ARENA,LIVERPOOL.PIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIG.BRITISH BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP @8ST 6LBS.RYAN BURNETT V RYAN FARRAG
Image: Burnett claimed a unanimous decision victory over Ryan Farrag

"Farrag was a tough fight but it was the sort of fight I needed," Burnett added.

"I am progressing every fight and I am learning a lot with Adam. I think we are both now comfortable to take the next step."

Watch Gavin McDonnell vs Rey Vargas from the Hull Ice Arena, live from 8pm, Saturday, on Sky Sports 2.

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