Barnes and Conlan to face top Kazakh duo in WSB this Saturday

By IABA Press Officer Bernard O’Neill

Top Kazakh pair Temirtas Zhussupov and Kairat Yeraliyev have been named as opponents for London 2012 bronze medallists Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan in the World Series (WSB) of Boxing in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Saturday night.

Barnes are Conlan will line out for Italia Thunder versus the Astana Arlans in the Group B match at the Almaty Sports Palace.

Neither Kazakh boxer is ranked in the top five in the WSB – Barnes is joint No. 1 in the flyweight class and Conlan joint No. 3 at bantam.

However, Zhussipov is the current Asian champion, and Yeraliyev, a bronze medallist at the last AIBA World Elite Championships, is ranked No. 1 in the world by AIBA.

The top ranked light-fly and the top two ranked bantamweights at the end of the regular WSB season in April will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

John Conlan and Zuar Antia will be working Barnes’ and Conlan’s corners in Almaty.

Meanwhile, Gary Sweeney lines out for the Mexico Guerreros versus the British Lionhearts in York Hall in London tonight. Eddie Bolger will be in his corner.