Ryan Burnett can reach the top after a back problem, says Wayne McCullough

WAYNE McCullough grinned as he watched Ryan Burnett take his lower back before dropping on the canvas at the SSE Arena on Saturday night. There is no pain like back pain, as he knows too well.

A wandering fist from a combat partner who landed a few millimeters from his spine forced him six months late before his world title clash with Erik Morales in 1999.

And, in what turned out to be his last fight 10 years ago, McCullough was forced to retire on his seven-round stool after his clash with Juan Ruiz in the Cayman Islands. A back injury contracted during the previous training weeks had marked the beginning of the end.

McCullough, a former bantamweight world champion like Burnett, was devastated when Burnett was forced to leave Saturday's bout against Nonito Donaire at the end of the fourth round. the WBA belt.

"I feel really bad for Ryan, I'm really sad for him," said McCullough, who was watching him from his home in Las Vegas.

"I gave Donaire the first round and Ryan the next three, I thought he was taking control afterwards. He would have won the fight, I think he could even have stopped Donaire.

"It reminded me of some memories because during my last fight, I was ahead of the dashboards and after seven laps but I could not move. I hurt my back three weeks ago and during the last week I could not move.

"I could not walk without limping. I had two pain pills in me and I was tied up until I left the locker room, and then all of a sudden I could not even get up from my stool anymore. When you're in the ring, if you pull something like that … it's your back and everything about your back, your whole system stops. It's terrible.

"I tell you that if someone criticizes this child, he has to look at his head. I've been in its place and the pain is excruciating, so serious. Back injuries are the worst.

And the Olympic silver medalist believes his fellow Belfast will resume his career once he has recovered from this injury.

"Ryan is only 26, he breaks only ice. He can always come back and be a major force in the bantamweight, "said the 48-year-old.

"I feel it for him, he's an excellent kid and I've always supported him. I think he will come back, no problem.