Who has Paddy Barnes signed for?
Paddy Barnes announced this morning, in no uncertain terms, that he is to turn professional.
One crucial detail left out by the Belfast man, who will campaign at flyweight in the paid game, is which promoter he has signed for.
However, whether purposely or inadvertently, the 29 year old may have left some hints as to where his final destination may be.
Barnes told sponsors Paddy Power that “my debut will possibly be before Christmas in Belfast. It’s my home city so it would be great to begin my career there.”
Currently there are three shows scheduled for the Titanic City over the coming months. With the greatest respect to MHD Promotions and Prospect Boxing, we can safely assume that Barnes will not be appearing on their shows at the Europa Hotel on October 8th and 22nd respectively.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions don’t seem to be planning to come to Belfast until next Spring at the earliest and, while a double act with Michael Conlan can’t be ruled out, a home at Sky Sports is an unlikely destination for the Irishman.
That leaves the Belfast Boxnation show on November 5th at the Titanic Exhibition Centre. Headlined by close friend Jamie Conlan, the signs seem to point to Barnes having signed a deal with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.
If this is the case, it would be a good move for the Holy Family fighter. Warren has made a conscious move in the last year to build a Belfast base, signing the likes of Jamie Conlan, James Tennyson, Joe Fitzpatrick, and Lewis Crocker. The show on November 5th is only intended to be the start, with the Odyssey the eventual goal.
A spot on the boxing aficionados channel, where the littler men are greatly appreciated, is perhaps a good place for the flyweight and Warren has shown a willingness to allow his fighters to travel for big fights – which Barnes may need to do in a class dominated by Asians and Latin Americans
And finally, who wouldn’t want to seem him fight divisive London flyweight and potential new stablemate Prince Patel?
