Ryan Burnett Vs Lee Haskins
- Ryan Burnett will go up against Lee Haskins at the SSE Arena in Belfast on June 10th. Here we breakdown the match as well as who we think will win.
- Ryan Burnett has won the IBF bantamweight title after producing a masterclass to defeat defending champion Lee Haskins via a farcical split decision.
Ryan Burnett became Northern Ireland's first world bantamweight champion for 20 years after outclassing Lee Haskins Saturday, but he had to settle for a baffling split points decision.
It should have been a unanimous verdict, such was 25-year-old Burnett's domination as he won the IBF world bantamweight title in his 17th professional fight at the SSE Arena in his home city of Belfast.
Despite Burnett flooring Haskins twice and controlling the bout from start to finish, American judge Clark Sammartino incredibly contrived to return a score of 118-108 to Haskins, meaning Burnett had to be content with a split decision with the other judges both seeing it 119-107 and 119-107 in his favour.
Lee Haskins, right, in action with Ryan Burnett at The Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Saturday (10/06). (Reuters Photo/Jason Cairnduff) Burnett vs. Haskins Was Scored Incorrectly: IBF.
But this was not a close contest and Robert Smith, the British Boxing Board of Control secretary, was scathing in his criticism of Sammartino after the fight.
This Saturday, Haskins (34-3, 14 knockouts) defends his title for the third time against the 25-year-old Ryan Burnett at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Undoubtedly talented, the challenger promises to be an extremely tough proposition to overcome, but the “no respect” theme continues for Haskins. The fight was announced as a split decision, as two judges had Burnett winning 119-107 but a third, Clark Sammartino, had him Burnett losing 118-108 although Burnett was a clear winner. An IBF statement said there had been an 'error with the scorecards' and the decision should have been unanimous.
'He [Clark Sammartino] will not be coming back to this country and I will be telling the IBF that on Monday,' said Robert Smith, the British Boxing Board of Control secretary after the fight.
'There was only one winner. It was a good fight and it kind of ruins it. It was the wrong decision.'
Both were cut from a clash of heads in the second round but Burnett (17-0, 9 KOs) kept his composure. The Belfast boxer was too quick and sharp for Haskins, who was floored in the sixth and 11th rounds by right hands.
Burnett is Northern Ireland's first world bantamweight champion since Wayne McCullough's two-year reign as WBC king ended in defeat to Daniel Zaragoza in January 1997.
'I promised my dad when I was 11 that I would be world champ and tonight I have done it,' said Burnett.
It was an impressive showing from Burnett, who enjoyed the backing of a big, raucous crowd against 33-year-old Haskins (34-4, 14 KOs).
Burnett, who trains in London with coach Adam Booth, was boxing in Belfast for the first time since 2013 and for only the third time as a professional. He seemed inspired by the chance to show his home fans how he has developed and in the first round his feints and quick movements caused problems for Haskins from the opening bell.
Burnett's control was briefly interrupted by an accidental clash of heads early in the second round which left both boxers cut above the right eye. Burnett came off worse, with a long gash down his forehead and his face was reduced to a mask of blood for the rest of the round.
Burnett's corner stemmed the flow of blood and the Ulsterman then resumed his brisk work in the third round. Haskins, a switch hitter from Bristol in England, struggled to find any solutions to Burnett's fast attacks as well as his swift movements in avoiding shots on the counter.
Burnett dominated the fourth and Haskins ended the round looking disconsolate with a bloodied face. Worse was to come for the champion late in the sixth round when Haskins was caught by a right hook on the ropes and sank to a knee for a count.
Haskins recovered but injured his right arm shortly before being dropped and his hopes of retaining the title were becoming increasingly remote. Haskins admirably tried to trouble Burnett with some tidy shots, all from his left hand, but still ended the ninth round with his face covered in blood.
Haskins tumbled backwards to the canvas after being caught by another lead right hand in the 11th, by which time he was fighting a lost cause.
On the undercard, Ireland-based Cuban Mike Perez made a successful debut as a cruiserweight but it was a disappointingly short cameo performance against Viktor Biscak -- lasting all of 29 seconds.
Perez (21-2-1, 13 KOs), 31, is based in Cork and is looking to kick start his career after defeats to Bryant Jennings and Alexander Povetkin dashed his hopes of a world heavyweight title shot.
In his first fight in two years since being blasted out in 91 seconds by Povetkin, Perez looked impressively well cut and lean after losing at least 40 pounds to make cruiserweight. Slovakian Biscak (10-1, 7 KOs), 32, folded under the first punch Perez landed, a right hook to the temple.
'I still have the power I believe,' said Perez. 'It's been an interesting two years of my life and I decide to do something better.
'My weight started going down and we decided to give cruiserweight a go. I want to keep active. I'm a heavyweight too. With the start of mind I have now, I believe I can win a title in any weight.'
No matter what he does, IBF bantamweight titleholder Lee Haskins rarely gets the respect he deserves, and that is disconcerting.
The 33-year-old southpaw, who is rated No. 3 by THE RING at 118 pounds, is a decorated and highly skilled professional who has done everything asked of him. During a 14-year career, Haskins has captured two British championships, two Commonwealth championships and two European championships.
When his moment finally came to fight for a world title, in November 2015, Randy Caballero weighed in 5.5 pounds over the limit and surrendered his belt on the scales. Haskins was immediately instated as full IBF titleholder but he hadn’t won his belt in the ring. There were no red carpets. Again, there was no respect.
This Saturday, Haskins (34-3, 14 knockouts) defends his title for the third time against the 25-year-old Ryan Burnett at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Undoubtedly talented, the challenger promises to be an extremely tough proposition to overcome, but the “no respect” theme continues for Haskins.
Burnett (16-0, 9 KOs) has been a professional for four years and his opposition has been largely undistinguished. Many within the trade believe that it’s too early for him so, again, Haskins is unlikely to be given any credit should he manage to win the fight. And that’s despite the fact that Burnett has been installed as a 2-1 favorite.
“A lot of people have said it’s too early, but he’s a very good fighter,” Haskins told RingTV.com. “I doubt that (Burnett’s promoter) Eddie Hearn and (Burnett’s trainer) Adam Booth would stick him in there if they thought it was too early. Some people say it’s too early for him but a lot of people might say it’s too late for me.
“We just need to see who wants it the most. I wish Ryan all the best for this fight, for the future — and the same with myself.”
The buildup to this fight has been extremely well-mannered. As Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko proved in April, you don’t need empty rhetoric and profanity to precede a good prizefight and that would appear to be the philosophy adopted here. When I spoke to Burnett on Monday, he was oozing confidence but also acknowledged the quality of his opponent.
Haskins was also complimentary of Burnett.
Respect between Haskins (left) and Burnett (right). Photo: Matchroom Boxing
“He’s a very good boxer and I think he boxes a lot like myself,” said Haskins. “He’s got the style and movement. He’s got good footwork. We’ll see on the night how I deal with that because I’ve struggled with movers in the past. I prefer the opponents who walk on to things.
“I’m very confident and I’m in a great place in my life. Plus, I’ve always wanted to fight in front of a Belfast crowd. I’m a big fan of (former two-weight world titleholder) Carl Frampton, who is one of my favorite fighters in the game today. I see the reception he gets and it’s absolutely incredible. I know I’ll be getting booed but I’m happy to be part of it.”
It was appropriate, at this point, to take Haskins’ cue. The Englishman faces the unenviable task of taking on a Belfast-born fighter in front of a Belfast fight crowd. If you want to know how pleasant an experience that is, then ask Chris Avalos. I was ringside the night he was stopped by Frampton and the American must have felt like he was inside a boiling pot of Irish stew. And that was before Frampton landed a punch.
Haskins, a professional for 14 years, remains completely unfazed by the prospect of some major hostility.
“It’ll bring the best out in me,” he said. “When a crowd is booing me it gets me up for it a little bit more. I just plan on enjoying the occasion. I’ve boxed away from home plenty of times and I’ve boxed in some not very nice places. Once we get in the ring, it’s all the same to me.
“I believe I box better when I’m away from home, and I’m raring to go. And it was a trip for me and the kids, so it was a win-win situation.”
Lee Haskins Vs Ryan Burnett
The 118-pound division is full of winners. Japanese star and pound-for-pound entrant Shinsuke Yamanaka holds the RING and WBC titles. Ricky Hatton protégé Zhanat Zhakiyanov is the WBA titleholder. Jamie McDonnell, whom Haskins outpointed in 2008, is still a major force and super-skilled southpaw. Zolani Tete was recently upgraded to full titleholder by the WBO.
“I don’t think I’d box Tete because I wouldn’t fight anyone who has just been given a title,” said Haskins before laughing at the irony. “No seriously, I don’t think there’s anything for me to chase anymore.
Ryan Burnett Vs Lee Haskins Net Worth
“I’ve accomplished my dream by becoming world champion and now I just want to provide a great living for my kids. We want to keep winning and bringing in the big checks. Everything I do now is for my family. I could retire tomorrow, retire happy, and say I became a world champion. I’ve done everything that I had to do.”
When asked if he was perhaps too content, Haskins was keen to point out that he has worked as hard as ever in the gym and hasn’t lost one ounce of hunger. And when asked why fans should watch the fight on Saturday, his answer was what all fans want to hear.
“Because it’s a 50-50 fight. That’s how highly I rate Burnett,” said Haskins.
Ryan Burnett Vs Lee Haskins Married
Tom Gray is a UK Correspondent/ Editor for RingTV.com and a member of THE RING ratings panel. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing
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Ryan Burnett Vs Lee Haskins Actor
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