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Eddie Hearn reveals possible date and location of Ryan Burnett’s next fight


Ryan Burnett [18(9)-0] may be back in the ring slightly earlier than expected – however it looks unlikely to be in Belfast.

The Antrim Road bantamweight won and unified world titles last year at the SSE Odyssey Arena, his first major fights in his home city.

His next fight though will most likely be across the water with promoter Eddie Hearn eyeing up a defence of Burnett’s IBF and WBA titles on the undercard of the big WBA/IBF/WBO heavyweight unification between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday March 31st.

The talk of Burnett on the Joshua-Parker PPV came from Hearn in an interview with IFL TV where he outlined a potential undercard, listing how “I’d like to do Jamie Cox v Rocky Fielding, I think Ryan Burnett could be defending his world titles on the card, there could even be [Anthony] Crolla on that card as well, Josh Kelly will be fighting for his first title, Joe Cordina will be in a big fight as well, we’re just putting it all together now.”

Burnett last fought in October, adding Zhanat Zhakiyanov’s WBA belt to the IBF strap he took off Lee Haskins during the Summer. Midway through this bout the Adam Booth-trained fighter ruptured a ligament in his neck and a comeback date of April at the earliest was mooted. The Bellew v Haye 2 pay-per-view on Saturday May 5th looked like a good bet, however, with news of Burnett returning to camp, the box office event five weeks prior suddenly came into view.

Some had hoped for a third successive show in Belfast, however Hearn has been quiet on this front – perhaps in light of the city’s packed schedule, with Carl Frampton v Nonito Donaire on April 21st, a Mick Conlan homecoming in late May or early June, and Frampton’s potential Windsor Park date in August.

Watch Eddie Hearn’s interview with IFL TV below:

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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