BoxRec

Former unified bantamweight world champion Ryan Burnett will make a sensational return on the #MTKFightNight at Belfast’s Ulster Hall on May 17 – in association with Top Rank and broadcast live on ESPN+.



After the success of March’s bill at the historic venue, which saw Luke Keeler dethrone Conrad Cummings as WBO European champion amid a raucous atmosphere, one of the city’s most successful fighters will spearhead the follow-up.

The Adam Booth-trained Burnett (19-1, 9 KOs) is straight back into a title fight in front of his adoring home city as he meets Jelbirt Gomera for the WBC International super-bantamweight crown.

Burnett said: “I want to be world champion again. Nothing else matters. This is a significant step in that campaign and I’m delighted it’s taking place in my home city.

“My opponent on May 17 is in the way of my being back where I know I belong. You will see my determination on fight night.”

Booth said: “Myself and MTK Global have a plan to get Ryan back to where he should be, which is world champion status.

“His hunger and desire are greater than ever before so there’s no doubt he can head back to the top. Enjoy the ride.”

MTK Global Professional Development Coordinator Jamie Conlan added: "This is just fantastic news for everyone concerned. We're delighted to be welcoming Ryan and Adam to another huge event in Belfast.

"Ryan's achievements speak for themselves. He unified as a world champion, and we believe it's only a matter of time before he's back at the very top of the sport.

"Belfast fans and all those who come from outside the city to this event are in for a real treat. These shows with our friends at Top Rank and ESPN+ are already getting bigger and bigger."

An entertaining clash is all but guaranteed with Filipino southpaw Gomera (14-5, 7 KOs) bringing power down from featherweight having kicked off his professional career with three consecutive first-round knockouts.

Burnett unified the bantamweight division when he added Zhanat Zhakiyanov’s WBA Super title to his IBF strap back in October 2017.

Already confirmed to be joining Burnett on the first ever UK #MTKFightNight broadcast on ESPN platforms are MTK Global teammates Declan Geraghty and Marco McCullough, who will contest the IBF European super-featherweight title.

Burnett obviously still with Matchroom but just fighting at home.

Is it too soon?

If he over stretches, will it cause an injury again? I guess we’ll have to find out.

great to see him fighting again,a real talented boxer ,i hope he fulfill his potential,

WBA bantamweight world champion Nonito Donaire will head to Belfast next week to support Ryan Burnett at #MTKFightNight’s event at the Ulster Hall on May 17, in association with Top Rank live on ESPN+ and iFL TV.

Former unified world champion Burnett (19-1, 9 KOs) makes his return to action when he faces Jelbirt Gomera for the vacant WBC International super-bantamweight title.

Now in talks to fight Tete later this year.

Easy fight to make.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑14 May 2019, 18:09 Now in talks to fight Tete later this year.

Easy fight to make.

Easy now with Tete pull out in WBSS and Frank won’t be paying Tete life changing money,

You’d still have doubts over Burnett with such a serious long term injury to a hip.

He still has two fights to go, but Bob Arum believes that Naoya Inoue will take the IBF bantamweight title off Emmanuel Rodriguez this Saturday night before unifying versus WBA champ Nonito Donaire.

Then, he will face Ireland’s Ryan Burnett, giving the Belfast boxer the chance to win back the belts he claimed in 2017 and was dispossessed of last year.

Arum explained how “we signed Ryan Burnett and we’re putting him in a fight but we’re on hold now because of the World Boxing Super Series.”

“Donaire will be in the final and Donaire beat him because of his back and we have a whole history with Donaire, we’ve promoted a lot of his fights. He’s a nice guy and that could be a very pleasing fight.”

“Inoue is fighting Rodriguez this weekend and I think Inoue is terrific, I think Inoue wins and we have a deal that after this tournament Inoue signs with Top Rank.”

“If the final is between Inoue and Donaire, we can have Burnett fight the winner as soon as their able to do the fight.”

Bob just linking Burnett to everyone in the division. Inoue destroys him, Tete is an interesting one, though has a mandatory against Casimero at some soonish

Boxing Prospect wrote: ↑15 May 2019, 12:09 Bob just linking Burnett to everyone in the division. Inoue destroys him, Tete is an interesting one, though has a mandatory against Casimero at some soonish

viewtopic.php?p=5157789#p5157789

Inoue as well, if he wins the WBSS. TR signing him up.

Link for later

Running Order

Running order subject to change

Doors Open: 5:30pm
First Bell: 6:15pm

Fight #1
4 Rround Lightweight Contest
Sean Duffy v Antonio Horvatic

Fight #2
4 Rround Featherweight Contest
Callum Bradley v Rafael Castillo

Fight #3
6 Rround Welterweight Contest
Lewis Crocker v Jumanne Camero

ESPN broadcast begins: 8:00pm

Fight #4
6 Rround Light Middleweight Contest
Steven Donnelly v Edwin Palacios

Fight #5
8 Rround Light Welterweight Contest
Sean McComb v Miroslav Serban

Fight #6
10 Rround Super Featherweight Contest
Marco McCullough v Declan Geraghty

Main Event: 10:00pm

Fight #7
10 Rround Super Bantamweight Contest
Ryan Burnet v Jelbirt Gomera

Floaters

6 Rround Super Middleweight Contest
Padraig McCrory v Eric Nwankwo

4 Rround Cruiserweight Contest
Dee Sullivan v Pawel Strykowski

Hoping Burnett can come through tonight unscathed & with no trouble from his previous injury, potential for some very entertaining fights for him in the near future if so. Is he looking to stay at super bantamweight or will he move back down for Tete etc?

NoScoutingReports wrote: ↑17 May 2019, 08:09 Hoping Burnett can come through tonight unscathed & with no trouble from his previous injury, potential for some very entertaining fights for him in the near future if so. Is he looking to stay at super bantamweight or will he move back down for Tete etc?

When Was Burnett last in an entertaining fight?
Guys talented but not entertaining IMO

Boxing Prospect wrote: ↑17 May 2019, 08:11 When Was Burnett last in an entertaining fight?
Guys talented but not entertaining IMO

Fair enough, each to their own. I quite like his style but can see why others wouldn't, not an all-action fighter. Would like to see him v Tete to watch how he attempts to combat the big height and reach advantages of Zolani.

Boxing Prospect wrote: ↑17 May 2019, 08:11 When Was Burnett last in an entertaining fight?
Guys talented but not entertaining IMO

Before he went to Adam Booth, before Booth turned him in a boxing bore I enjoyed watching his rise.

wwill that have full card or just the non espn part

jamamb wrote: ↑17 May 2019, 13:50 wwill that have full card or just the non espn part

Should be full.. ESPN+ is only available in US.

MTK always show full cards on YouTube..

Anyone watching this? Nice show, live on IFL TV Youtube channel and ESPN+. Good crowd in at Ulster Hall.

Lovely body shot KO by Stephen Donnelly.

Next up is Sean McComb against an 11-2 Czech fighter in a super lightweight bout.

ya im watching, mismatch crap so far but interested in gerahty vs mcullough, mccomb with some good body shots but was hardly landing any of the head shots in that final flurry

nigeria by way of england, usually the reverse

lol this guy is 7-0 (3) and there talking about him like hes some massive puncher

McCrory got clipped there.