IRISH bantamweight prospect Ryan Burnett will box in his home city of Belfast for the first time as a professional on June 28.
Burnett, 21, got off to a perfect start as a pro last Friday when he blasted Hungary’s Laszlo Nemesapati Jr in just 74 seconds.
Promoter and trainer Ricky Hatton is keen to keep the young puncher active and has arranged for him to appear on a show promoted in association with Jane Wilton’s Belfast Boxing Promotions at the Holiday Inn.
“It’s great to have a date in Belfast,” Ryan said. “Like every boxer, I’ve always wanted to fight in front of my own people and now I’ve got the chance.
“I’ll be more nervous this time than I was on my debut last week because it’s in my home town and they’ll be a lot bigger crowd, but I’m looking forward to it.
“A lot of my friends and family will be there and I can’t wait for it.”
Burnett barely broke sweat when halting Nemesapati Jr with hurtful body shots last week, but already he feels he’s tailor made for a successful career in the paid side of the sport.
“It’s early days but I’m loving being a pro,” he said. “It’s a slower pace than the amateurs and you don’t have to try chase points back when you take a shot so you can think about your punches more.
“I had a very good amateur career, but I think I’m going to adapt to the pro game a lot better.”
