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Paddy Barnes not happy with famous ginger Canelo – offers possible solution


Paddy Barnes is not happy that Canelo Álvarez is coming to Belfast – although the flyweight star has an idea on how the two can make amends.

Two-weight world champion Alvarez makes his way to the Titanic City for the ‘Frampton Reborn’ bill at the SSE Odyssey Arena on Saturday night.

The 27 year old is a long-time friend of featherweight Horacio Garcia, who takes on Carl Frampton over ten rounds in the card’s headline bout.

Barnes [4(0)-0 himself features earlier on, going for his second rankings belt when he fights Nicaraguan Eliecer Quezada for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title.

The fight will be double Olympic bronze medalist’s first on the big BT Sport platform – with his first four pro bouts having been exclusive to BoxNation – and Barnes was looking forward to having some spotlight on the big show.

It was revealed yesterday though that boxing’s most famous red-haired fighter would be in attendance, and Barnes joked that “I’m not happy at all about it to be honest.”

“I thought I was going to be the most famous ginger person in the SSE Arena. I’m meant to be the most famous ginger at this show!”

It’s often said that the Guadalajaran has a long lost Irish ancestor, with references to the ‘San Patricio’ regiment in the Mexican army during the 1840s.

Barnes thinks there could be a link and said “to be honest, I think we could be [related] – I’m going to ask him anyway!”

“Canelo better be cheering on one of his own when I’m fighting.”

While the Golden Boy superstar may stealing the ginger thunder, Barnes is willing to bury the hatchet over a pint on Saturday after the show.

The 30 year old laughed that “people are asking if I’ll take him out for a drink, I’ll take him anywhere if he’s paying – he better, he has more money than Frampton.”

“Me and Canelo out on the town!”

dpg

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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