FAST-RISING bantamweight star Ryan Burnett will return to his home city of Belfast on April 4.

The unbeaten prospect was due to appear in Dublin this weekend until a hand injury unfortunately forced him to withdraw.

But Barry McGuigan's Cyclone Promotions have given him the opportunity to appear on the undercard of his friend and idol Carl Frampton at Odyssey Arena.

Burnett, a gold medallist at the 2010 Youth Olympics, scored second round stoppages over Elemir Rafael and Reynaldo Cajina in his two fights in Belfast last year and is keen to impress once again.

"It's always great to be back in Belfast because, at this stage in my career, it's the place where my fans are and the best place to get new people to follow me," Ryan, who is trained by Ricky Hatton, said.

"I had a great response from fans when I boxed at the Odyssey last time and hopefully the same group of people will come out and see me again.

"I think I've come on leaps and bounds since turning over to the professional game and I've learned a lot from Ricky so I hope to show people what I can do in April."

He added: "I love being on the same bill as Carl Frampton. He's someone I look up him to because he started where I am and he comes from where I come from. I always think to myself if he can do it, then I can too.

"Everybody in Belfast likes Carl, he has both sides of the city coming out to support him and one day I hope to be seen the same way."

Dan Sarkozi can't wait to get back out in front of his home crowd at the City Academy, Bristol, on March 1st.

The 25-year-old Avon man competes in his second professional contest on the James DeGale undercard, eager to make it two wins from two.

"I can't wait to get in front of the Bristol crowd again," Dan said.

"Last time out I had a huge amount of support and it really helped me to perform.

"This time will be no different!"

The light middleweight, Sarkozi, fights on the undercard to 2008 Beijing Olympic Gold Medallist, DeGale's, WBC Silver super middleweight title defence against undefeated former IBO Youth champion Gevorg Katchikian.

DeGale meets the Netherlands based Katchikian, who boasts a perfect record of 20-0, ahead of his WBC sanctioned final eliminator against Mayweather promoted Badou Jack.

Also scheduled to fight on the March 1st show is Bristol’s own British bantamweight champion Lee Haskins and a whole host of talent, including Lee Nutland and Ashley Lane and Weston Super-Mare's Liam Hunt in his professional debut.

Bristol Boxing Star Lee Haskins will box for the WBC International Title on the March 1st show at the City Academy, Bristol. Haskins who is rated #5 by the WBC will box Elton Dharry ranked #23 who is based at the prestigious Gleason's Gym in New York. This is a fight that will determine Haskins a  secure place in the top five world rankings should he win it.

Haskins has aired his frustrations of late that none of the champions will give him a shot at a world championship. He believes that the only way to achieve his world title dream is to force a mandatory position with one of the governing bodies:

“All of the world champions out there have been offered to fight me but none of them want to take the risk. I am a dangerous opponent for anyone at bantamweight and I don’t think it unfair to say that I am being avoided. Winning this WBC International title will give me a secure ranking in the top five of the WBC and I will hopefully be able to become mandatory.”

The addition of the WBC international title fight rounds off a spectacular bill at the City Academy. The event headlined by WBC Silver Champion James Degale with Lee Haskins providing the chief support, the card will be fully supported by a host of local talent, both title fights will be shown live on Channel 5.

 

Tickets are priced at £35, £60 Ringside and £100 VIP. They are available from the Box Office on 0117 949 6699 or can be collected from the Bristol Boxing Gym www.westcountryboxing.com .