Burnett To Meet Zhakiyanov in Bantamweight Title Unification Fight

Newly crowned IBF world Bantamweight champion Ryan Burnett will meet WBA "Super" bantamweight world champion Zhanat Zhakiyanov on October 21 at SSE Arena in Belfast Northern Ireland. 

33 year-old Zhanat "ZZ" Zhakiyanov (27-1,18) of Petropavl, Kazakhstan won the IBO and WBA world title in February 2016 when beat Rau'Shee Warren in Toledo Ohio. Zhakiyanov was down twice in the first round but cameback and rallied to win the fight. IBO title becomes vacant as Zhakiyanov did not pay sanction fee.

25, Ryan Burnett (17-0,9) of Belfast Northern Ireland is the current IBF bantamweight world title. He won the title with twelve round unanimous decision win over former champion Lee Haskins. He dropped Haskins once in round 6 and 11 en route his wide margin decision win.