Top Rank Boxing has announced the signing the former unified bantamweight world champion Ryan Burnett.
The promotional company announced it has signed Burnett to a multi-fight deal. The deal comes into effect with Burnett's first fight, set next month in Belfast, Northern Island. In a press release sent to Fightful, Burnett expressed excitement over getting to sign with Top Rank,
"It is a dream come true to sign with Top Rank. I've spent years learning and perfecting my craft, becoming world champion and then unified world champion. On May 17, I begin my quest to become world champion again. Teaming up with the biggest players in the game in Top Rank, ESPN and MTK Global will only strengthen my drive and determination to achieve this," Burnett said.
Burnett will return on May 17 on an MTK Global card that will be streamed on ESPN+ from Ulster Hall. Burnett will now compete at 122 pounds and is already in a title fight against Jelbirt Gomera for the vacant WBC International belt.
The fight will be Burnett’s first since a terrible injury he suffered last November in Scotland during a fight against Nonito Donaire. In the fourth round Burnett threw a right-hand punch and missed it, but Burnett dropped to one knee immediately, favoring his lower right back. Burnett got up after dropping to one knee, but was still injured and Donaire kept punching away at Burnett until the fourth round ended. The fight was stopped soon afterwards with Burnett too hurt to continue.
