Burnett vs Rodriguez title fight headed to purse bid

IBF and WBA bantamweight titleholder Ryan Burnett and IBF mandatory challenger Emmanuel Rodriguez are headed to purse bid, after Rodriguez’s promoter, Warriors Boxing, requested an immediate purse bid and declined to enter into negotiations.

The bid is set for February 12.

Burnett (18-0, 9 KO) won the IBF belt from Lee Haskins last June, dominating the former titleholder en route to a one-sided decision victory, notable in memory for some fans because one judge, Clark Sammartino, originally had the two boxers mixed up on his card, leading to an originally announced bizarre split decision.

Burnett, 25, then unified that belt with the WBA title in October, beating Zhanat Zhakiyanov by decision. Both fights took place in Belfast, which would likely be the site for Burnett-Rodriguez if Burnett’s side were to win the bid.

Rodriguez (17-0, 12 KO) is a 25-year-old prospect who hasn’t faced contenders yet. The Puerto Rican went 2-0 in 2017, knocking out Robinson Lavinanza in the first round in March, and following that with a stoppage of Giovanni Delgado after four rounds in August.