Monday 16 October 2017 17:42, UK
New IBF champion Ryan Burnett is already targeting another world title as he prepares to take on WBA 'super' champion Zhanat Zhakiyanov in Belfast.
The Northern Irishman makes the first defence of his IBF belt against WBA 'super' title holder Zhakiyanov in a bantamweight unification clash at The SSE Arena this Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
Burnett's gym-mate Josh Kelly fights for the fourth time in the paid ranks on a busy bill, with former Team GB team-mate Anthony Fowler also seeking a fourth victory as a professional, while unbeaten lightweight Paul Hyland Jnr faces Stephen Ormond and James Tennyson takes on Darren Traynor.
Concerns were raised about whether or not the 25-year-old Burnett was ready for the step up to world class in just his 17th fight, but he ripped the IBF belt from Lee Haskins, flooring the champion twice on the way to victory.
Even a bizarre scorecard mix-up, which saw one judge giving the verdict to Haskins, could not deny Burnett, who can become the only champion in the division with two world titles.
But Burnett must find a way to overcome the formidable Zhakiyanov, who dragged Rau'shee Warren into a punishing dogfight before taking the WBA belt on a split-decision victory.
The Kazakh climbed off the canvas twice in the first round and has questioned whether or not Burnett will show the same battling desire, although the hometown hero has declared 'this is my moment' as he prepares for the first unification fight in Northern Ireland.
The unbeaten Hyland Jr has emerged as one of the rising contenders in the lightweight division and can climb further up the rankings when he takes on the experienced Ormond.
'Hylo' produced a ruthless victory in his last outing, dropping Adam Dingsdale twice in a first-round stoppage victory.
Ormond, nicknamed 'The Rock', holds a win over Derry Mathews and should provide more stubborn resistance.
Tennyson makes the first defence of his WBA international super-featherweight title against Darren Traynor as he seeks his third stoppage victory this year.
The Belfast boxer stopped Declan Geraghty in March, then claimed the belt when he halted Ryan Doyle in a hard-fought clash in June.
But Scotland's Traynor, with 14 wins on his record and just a sole defeat, will be determined to silence the local fans.
Former Team GB team-mates Kelly and Fowler have another opportunity to showcase their skills after promising starts to their pro careers.
Kelly produced a blistering first-round knockout of Tom Whitfield in his third bout in June, while Fowler pounded Jay Byrne to a halt last month in Liverpool.
Watch Ryan Burnett's unification clash with Zhanat Zhakiyanov, along with Paul Hyland Jr against Stephen Ormond, James Tennyson versus Darren Traynor, with Josh Kelly and Anthony Fowler also on the Belfast bill from 7.30pm this Saturday on Sky Sports Main Event.