Burnett vs Zhakiyanov: The proud boxing city of Belfast, home to many great champions

As Ryan Burnett prepares to face Zhanat Zhakiyanov, we take a closer look at his home city of Belfast and the many fine boxers it has produced.

Belfast: Home of Champions

IBF world champion Burnett will make the first defence of his bantamweight world title this Saturday against WBA 'Super' titlist Zhakiyanov at Belfast's SSE Arena, live on Sky Sports.

For the Titanic city, it is the first unification showdown to ever hit the Northern Irish capital and it gives the 25-year-old Burnett the chance to become just the second fighter in Irish history, following Carl Frampton, to hold two world title belts simultaneously.

Frampton has set an immense benchmark - the Ring Magazine's fighter of the year in 2016 is a former two-weight world champion - but Belfast's rich history runs far deeper.

The likes of Eamon Magee, Wayne McCullough, Paul McCloskey, Brian Magee and Martin Rogan have all challenged at world level in the past and with Burnett and 'The Jackal' leading the charge the future seems just as bright.

You can watch about the proud boxing city of Belfast tonight at 7pm on Sky Sports Action.

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.