Ryan Burnett Wants a Slice of the Action as World Title Shot Beckons in Belfast

Ryan Burnett admits he has one glaring weakness—a love of pizza.

The undefeated bantamweight has a liking for a particular version called the "New Yorker"—a meaty number with mushrooms—from a worldwide food chain whose products are definitely not cooked in a hut.

"Once my fight is over we buy a pizza and sit out the back [of the venue] to eat it. That’s always the plan," he explained to Bleacher Report. "After I’ve stuffed my face, we then like to go out and watch the rest of the fights."

When it comes to boxing, however, Burnett has yet to reveal any glaring weaknesses.

Since making his professional debut in May 2013, the Northern Irishman has compiled a 13-0 (9 KOs) record.

He has already won British, WBO European and WBC International titles. There's been no desire to hold him back in the paid ranks as, after a softish start, he has faced genuine tests in his last two outings.

Burnett took on Jason Booth—a former world-title challenger who's travelled around the block so many times he could tell you who lives in every house—for the Lonsdale belt last November.

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Then, in February, Burnett went 10 rounds with Anthony Settoul, a Frenchman who had previously shared a ring with Nonito Donaire (albeit not for too long).

On each occasion, the man from Belfast won by unanimous decision on the scorecards. While Booth and Settoul stuck around, neither gave the younger man too many problems.

In going the distance twice, Burnett showed he has the stamina to go with the undoubted skills he first demonstrated during his hugely successful amateur career.

"The thing is, when most fighters turn pro they got put in the ring against guys who are just in there to make a few quid and take a knee," Burnett explained at a press conference in Leeds, England.

"It’s good that my last few fights have been up against people who have been competitive, who have been there to win.

"Booth gave it one hell of a last hurrah. He had plenty of notice for the fight, had trained well and looked in great shape. He gave it a good push, and that was great for me.

"I got [to face] an experienced fighter who was there to win."

Trainer Adam Booth, who took over the role from Ricky Hatton after Burnett parted ways with The Hitman's promotional company, is more than happy to let his young fighter learn on the job.

As he told Elliot Worsell for Boxing News, Booth believes in both his fighter's talent and temperament: 

"

Ryan’s the most naturally talented fighter I’ve worked with, bar none.

He has that David Haye genetic make-up, but, on top of that, he’s so very, very clever and confident. The harder the fight, the more he wants it. A lot of guys who have that same kind of talent are used to getting their own way. But, as soon as they don’t get their own way, they fall apart. They go in there with this level of entitlement. Ryan’s not like that. I try and shut up talking about him, but it’s hard. I’m so excited.

"

The admiration flows both ways.

"Who better to have in your corner than Adam Booth? He knows the game so well and he’s teaching me more than I could have ever imagined," Burnett said of the man who now runs his corner.

The combination can now prepare for even tougher tests ahead.

Promoter Eddie Hearn is working to a tight schedule with one of the rising stars in his stacked stable. He said in May, per Isaac Robinson of Sky Sports: "There's a three-fight plan now for Ryan Burnett; to box on July 30, then again in September, then again in December—and then he's ready to fight for the world title."

The idea is for Burnett to face the winner of the September 10 showdown between reigning IBF champion Lee Haskins and Stuart Hall, a former world champion at 118 pounds, at the O2 Arena in London.

"I feel grateful just to be named alongside the likes of Stuart Hall and Lee Haskins," Burnett said. "They are top fighters in the division. To be named up there with those gives me a boost. It lets me know that I’m doing things right."

Ideally, the tilt at the IBF belt will be staged in Burnett's home city of Belfast, giving him the chance to turn a boyhood dream into a reality in his own backyard.

Carl Frampton achieved just that in 2014, defeating Kiko Martinez to become the new IBF champion at super bantamweight. Now Burnett wants to follow in his compatriot's footsteps.

"I’ve always looked up to Carl since I was in the amateur game," he said of Frampton. "He was always a couple of years older than me and achieving things that I wanted to do. He’s a great person to draw inspiration from."

Burnett is an inspirational character in his own right.

He has experienced plenty in and out of the ring, despite still only being 24. A highly successful amateur who lost just four of his 98 bouts, he secured the gold medal at the Olympic Youth Games in 2010.

A back injury then delayed his move to the pros, although that wasn't the biggest health issue he has had to overcome.

An aneurysm was discovered on the right side of his brain during a routine scan. At that stage, it looked to be an abrupt end to a promising career.

However, he simply refused to believe it was all over. Burnett fought possibly his most important battle and came out on top, eventually proving his health to earn a licence.

Now his focus is only on fighting inside a ring, with his next outing on July 30 at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

The identity of his opponent has yet to be officially confirmed—according to Joe O'Neill of Irish-Boxing.com, it will be Mexican Cesar Ramirez—but it does not really matter who is in the opposite corner.

Burnett will want to triumph and stretch his perfect record to 14-0.

Not only does each victory move him a step closer to that planned shot at a world title, it also means he can finally have his favourite pizza again.

Rob Lancaster is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.