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“I’m so sorry, my brother” – Heartbreaking corner footage from Ryan Burnett v Nonito Donaire


Ryan Burnett [19(9)-1(1)] lost his WBA bantamweight title on Saturday night in horrible circumstances.

The Belfast puncher took on Nonito Donaire [39(25)-5(1)] in the quarter-finals of the World Boxing Super Series in Glasgow but a back injury brought an end to his title reign after the fourth round.

Hurting something in the third, it became too much for Burnett in the fourth round and a right backhand saw the pain barrier smash and force the Irishman to take a knee.

Burnett, rose, just about, and survived an onslaught from Donaire but was pulled out by his corner at the break.

Today the World Boxing Super Series have released their fight week documentary which features behind-the-scenes clips of the press conference, public workout, weigh-in, and, most interestingly, the corners during fight night.

Burnett, who was up on the cards when the fight was halted, can be seen receiving instructions from coach Adam Booth to switch southpaw after his right side becomes painful in the third.

Then, at the break of the fourth, you see Booth whisper to Burnett who replies “Adam, I can’t throw a punch.”

The London coach then asks Burnett to stand up. The 26-year-old initially says “I can’t,” before painfully dragging himself to his feet. Knowing the fight is over, Booth tells his fighter to sit and motions to referee Howard Foster that he is ending the fight but Burnett pleads, “I don’t want to sit down!”

Donaire immediately crosses the ring to his tearful opponent and tells him “listen, you are a good man.”

“I’m sorry, my man, I wish God gave you a better turn. I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, my brother. You were amazing.”

With the adrenaline pumping, Donaire is speaking rapidly, but it also seems as though the Filipino told Burnett that “you’d have beat me tonight.”

Watch the Burnett v Donaire and Taylor v Martin post-fight WBSS doc 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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