Nonito Donaire is the WBA bantamweight champion after Ryan Burnett was retired after four rounds of action in the World Boxing Super Series in Glasgow.
The Filipino Flash will be facing South African WBO counterpart in a semi-final unification after his fight with Burnett – which was ostensibly warming up into an interesting clash of styles – ended in bizarrely dramatic circumstances.
A promising start from the champion was tarnished by a freak injury sustained in the fourth, when Burnett fell to his knees clutching his back, apparently in agony.
Burnett somehow answered the count administered by referee Howard Foster and survived the round, before trainer Adam Booth compassionately elected to pull his man out.
Both fighters made a strong, sharp start in a fight that was certainly poised to be an intriguing affair before it’s sudden conclusion, as Burnett enjoyed success with combinations and short right hands while his in-ring counterpart was also able to connect with some powerful flurries.
However, concerned silence engulfed the arena at the final bell as a visibly distraught Burnett was consoled by the ever-gracious Donaire and subsequently carried off on a stretcher.
Report by: Navi Singh
Follow Navi on Twitter at: @DarkMan________