Barnes: Olympic qualification is not in the bag It is still all to play for

THERE are still a few barriers to get through before Paddy Barnes successful navigates the Road to Rio.

The two time Olympic medal winner is in pole position to qualify for the 2016 Games via the WSB, but warned he hasn’t yet reached Rio.

There is one light flyweight spot available in the Olympics via the World Series of Boxing and the fighter who is unbeaten fighting for Italia Thunder in the tournament this season is currently in top spot in the rankings.

He is confident three more solid displays will see him book his seat on the plane, but claims he won’t be counting his chickens just yet.

“I wouldn’t speak too soon,” he told 98fm.

“I have three hard fights to go. I am ranked number one (in the WSB) at the minute but there is also a boxer from Ukraine who is right behind me. He is ranked number two but he is on the same points as me. There is only one space so it is all to play for in these last three fights.”

I need just to keep performing like I am and win these next three fights convincingly if I do that I will be in Rio.