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Belfast boxing champ Ryan Burnett has urged 'no to sectarianism' after what he described as 'controversy' over a promotional photo of him in front of a British flag.

The North Belfast world champion was recently named as the top seed in the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) Bantamweight competition.

In promotional photos, he was pictured in front of a British flag. He hails from the Nationalist area of Newington.

Taking to Instagram, the 26-year-old said: "Been getting controversy over the post that WBSS put up, plus it’s been going on a while anyway.

"It had the Great British flag behind me for the photo. To me this means nothing!

"I treat everyone as an equal, we are all the same no matter what religion you may choose to be.

"Treat me well and I’ll treat you even better regardless of your background that’s who I am.

"So I ask everyone, treat me how I treat you, not for what you think my background is."

He also shared a photo of the Irish tricolour and Union flag with the words 'No to sectarianism.'

Burnett will face Nonito Donaire in the quarter-final of the WBSS in Glasgow on November 3.

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