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Ryan Burnett has “every faith” in Adam Booth to deliver World Title win

Belfast’s Ryan Burnett [16(9)-0] has unblinking faith in his coach as he approaches his first world title fight this Saturday.

The Adam Booth-trained bantamweight takes on IBF champion Lee Haskins [34(13)-3(3)] at the SSE Odyssey Arena in Belfast and believes ‘The Dark Lord’ has the perfect plan to ensure a win.

Booth, a former trainer of David Haye and current trainer of Limerick’s Andy Lee, has been working with Burnett since late 2014 and the pair have developed a close bond.

24 year old Burnett holds the London coach in the highest regard, and feels he has improved him immeasurably as a fighter.

Burnett described how “Adam has given me intelligence on what I actually have to do. All the skills are there, but he’s teaching me how to control it. That’s what we work on every day – understanding what you have to do and how you have to do it.

“I needed to sit back, peel away the layers and understand what I am doing. Adam’s work speaks for itself. He’s been in the sport for a long time and he’s a well-respected coach. I’ve come to the gym willing to listen and learn because I know that Adam has so much knowledge to give, so if Adam says jump, I say how high.”

For the fight against southpaw Haskins, Burnett believes that Booth will provide a roadmap that will guarantee victory – if he follows it.

The recent British champion outlined how “Adam knows how to put a game plan together to beat a southpaw, and I have every faith in Adam. If I am calm, relaxed and I deliver what Adam tells me to do on the night, I’ll win that belt.”

“Adam believes I am ready for it and he’s a man who has been there and done it.”

“I’m always learning with every fight and every day in the gym with Adam. People were saying a year ago that I was ready for a World title shot so that must mean I am even better placed for it now. Adam makes the decisions of what the right move is for me.”

The Burnett-Haskins undercard at present comprises of an Irish cruiserweight title fight between Luke Watkins and Ian Tims, Feargal McCrory v Paul Holt, James Tennyson v Ben Jones, Paul Hyland v Adam Dingsdale and appearances from Carl McDonald, Sean Magee, Matt Wilton, Tyrone McCullagh, Padraig McCrory, Paddy Gallagher, and the return of Mike Perez.

Tickets for ‘Belfast Boy’ on June 10th at the SSE Odyssey Arena cost £30, £40, £60, £100, and £150 (VIP), and can be bought from the boxers involved or HERE.

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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