SIX years ago yesterday, Paddy Barnes made history by winning his second medal at the Olympic Games.
In just over a week the all-action flyweight bids to make history again by winning a world title in only his sixth professional fight. ‘The Leprechaun’ takes on reigning WBC champion Cristofer Rosales (27-3) at Windsor Park on August 18 and says the belt will be staying in Belfast.
“I’ve been fast-tracked because of my amateur background and world series of boxing history,” he said.
“That’s why I’ve been pushed on faster than usual. I said at the start that I would win a world title within 10 fights and here I am in my sixth fight.
His Nicaraguan opponent is well travelled and went to Japan to dethrone Diago Higa in April before agreeing to a first defence against Barnes.
“Coming to Belfast shouldn’t phase him, but I don’t really care if he’s phased or not,” said Barnes.
“I have my fighting style, he has his and I know that if I do what I do best then no one’s going to beat me.”
World title opportunities are hard to come by and Barnes, who hasn’t boxed since November last year, says he preferred to wait for the right fight before returning to action.
“It was hard to get an opponent signed up for a world title,” he said.
“I still could have fought on the last Frampton show and the Mick Conlan show but I didn’t because I want to create history and win a world title in my sixth fight.”
