Barnes can move into Rio pole position tonight

PADDY Barnes has received a major boost in his bid to qualify for Rio 2016 via the World Series of Boxing.

Barnes’ main rival for the sole light flyweight slot available for boxers competing in the WSB, Hasanboy Dusmatov dropped points in the Rio race last night.

The Ukraine Otamans fighter didn’t suffer defeat as his team visited York Hall to challenge the British Lionhearts, rather was given a walkover.

A Walkover, however means Dusmatov only collects three points giving Barnes an opportunity to steal a march on his main rival.

At the time of writing Barnes trails the Ukrainian by three points but the Belfast boxer  has a golden opportunity to move into Rio pole if he beats Joshua Franco from the USA Knockouts squad in Milan tonight.

Victory by unanimous decision will earn Barnes five points while a majority decision will see him collect four.