By Elliot Foster
Paddy Barnes has confirmed he is turning professional and leaving amateur boxing behind.
Barnes, 29, competed in his third Olympics in the summer and is a two-time bronze medallist, having secured podium spots for Ireland in Beijing (2008) and London (2012) before being given the honour of being Ireland’s flag bearer at the Rio de Janeiro games earlier this year.
The Belfast man is now looking to embrace a new challenge and told Paddy Power that he is keen to make his debut in his home city.
“Now it’s time to go pro, I’ve been in the amateurs too long and I want a new challenge,” he said.
“The experience was brilliant, but after a few Olympics I know what it’s like.
“My debut will possibly be before Christmas in Belfast. It’s my home city so it would be great to begin my career there.”
Boxing Scene understands that Barnes’ bow in the paid code will come as part of the supporting cast to Jamie Conlan’s November 5 Commonwealth super-flyweight defence at the Titanic Exhibition Centre.
“I’m going to start off at a flyweight, hopefully move through the weights and probably end up bantamweight at the end of my career,” he continued.
“I’ll still be disappointed with my [amateur] career, not winning a gold medal.
“That will never leave me, but bringing back the world title is something that’s just as recognisable. That will in some ways make up for it.”
Barnes is keen to face a man in the shape of Zou Shiming who ended his gold medal hopes in both China and England eight and four years ago, respectively.
“He’s the big money fight and he’s the one who I’ll be targeting,” Barnes said.
“I want to win the world title, go to China and defend it against him.”
