IT’S OVER: But Burnett can be proud of what he achieved
Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE
RYAN BURNETT has been forced into retirement at the age of just 27. The Belfast fighter won the IBF bantamweight title from Lee Haskins in 2017 and quickly added the WBA strap when he outscored Zhanat Zhakiyanov in the same year.
But injuries and health issues then played havoc with the talented fighter’s progress. Last year, he was forced to quit in the fourth round against Nonito Donaire – a fight that was supposed to be his breakout – with a back injury.