Frank Warren warns Paddy Barnes of world title dangers

It will be anything but a walk in Windsor Park for Paddy Barnes [5(1)-0] warns promoter Frank Warren.

Barnes has secured a World title shot in just his sixth pro fight and will challenge Cristofer Rosales [27(18)-3(0)] for his newly acquired WBC flyweight world strap in Belfast on August 18th.

It’s a massive opportunity for a fighter who turned pro as recent as November of 2016, but a difficult one warns veteran promoter Warren.

Rosales claimed the title with a surprise win in Japan last month and is very much a typical Nicaraguan – rough, tough, and game with good power.

The 23-year-old Central American stopped KO-punching wonderkid Daigo Higa and despite defeats to the likes of Andrew Selby and Kal Yafai, Warren warns the fight is a dangerous one for ‘The Leprechaun’.

“I think it’s a dangerous fight for Paddy Barnes. Rosales went into his fight Higa as a big underdog and came away with the prize.”

“We managed to get him and bring him over here for Paddy. It’s a tough fight, not an easy fight. Paddy has only had five fights, so it’s a bit of a step up.”

While a world title is carrot enough for any fighter, Barnes will have history as added motivation going into the clash which plays out on the undercard of Carl Frampton versus Luke Jackson in Windsor Park.

If the two time Olympic medal winner manages to buckle the title around his waist come August 18th he will become the fastest ever Irish fighter to win a world title, beating Katie Taylor’s current record by one.

“He makes history if he does it.”

“There isn’t an Irish fighter that has won a world title within six fights. I am looking forward to a bit of history being made,” Warren added before expressing belief in the popular Belfast fighter.

“Paddy has a vast amount of amateur experience and I think that will stand to him. He just wants to be challenged.”

“Since he has been with us all he has talked about is having the big fight and we delivered and delivered it in a fantastic location.”