Sport

Paddy Barnes makes winning start to professional career

Paddy Barnes tussles with Stefan Slavchev on his way to victory in his first professional fight 
Paddy Barnes tussles with Stefan Slavchev on his way to victory in his first professional fight  Paddy Barnes tussles with Stefan Slavchev on his way to victory in his first professional fight 

PADDY Barnes began his professional career with a win at the Titanic Exhibition Centre last night.

Although it wasn't the performance he would have envisaged - his opponent Stefan Slavchev was disqualified in the fourth round - the Belfast fighter will have been relieved to get his debut out of the way and move on to better things.

‘The Wee Man’ was given an enthusiastic reception as he made his way to the ring and with Gerry Storey in his corner and close friend Carl Frampton cheering him on from ringside, the double Olympic medallist dived straight into the action and went looking to land big shots from the first bell.

He had more success in the second, stalking Slavchev around the ring and hammering him with both hands when he pinned him in a corner. Understandably given the occasion, his work was a little wild at times and the fight was scrappy as he pushed for a knockout.

Slavchev tied the local favourite up at every opportunity and their pair of them fell in a heap in the centre of the ring as the third round came to a close. The fight ended farcically when Slavchev picked Barnes up and walked, with him over his shoulder in a fireman’s life, across the ring. Referee Hugh Russell jnr disqualified him and Barnes had his first win – he’ll hope for much better nights to come.