Barnes and Conlan will have clearer indication of Olympic standing this weekend

By IABA Press Officer Bernard O’Neill

Ireland’s Olympic medallists Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes, pictured above, will be back in action in the the World Series of Boxing (WSB) this weekend.

The dynamic Belfast duo, both current Commonwealth Games champions, are slated to line out for Italia Thunder versus Steven Donnelly’s Hussars of Poland in Konin, Poland on Friday the 13th.

Barnes has won two from two so far in the WSB this season, while Conlan, who was unluky to have been adjudged to have lost his first WSB fight of the season for the Italian side against Magomed Gurbanov of the Baku Fires in Azerbaijan, has recorded one victory.

Thunder drew 2-2 away to the Argentina Condors last weekend, while the Hussars were beaten by the Baku Fires in Azerbaijan. Steven Donnelly, who won on his WSB debut last month, was not in action on the Baku card.

Seventeen direct places are available for the Rio 2016 Olympics from the WSB this season.

“In another three or four fights we’ll have a much clearer picture as regards qualifying for the Olympics from the WSB. For now the important thing is to keep winning,” stressed Irish coach John Conlan, who will be working his son’s and Barnes’ corners along with Irish head coach Billy Walsh on Friday.

The Irish contingent depart for Poland on Wednesday.