Introducing: Barry Barnes

The National Senior Elite Championships began at the weekend, but one name that didn’t feature on the entry list was Barry Barnes.

The Waterford light heavyweight won the Intermediate title back in 2014, but suffered long term injury afterwards, keeping him out of the ring until last Summer. Since returning the St Paul’s man has been in good form, and had been tipped to make an impact on the amateur scene.

Barnes still plans to make an impact, but now it will be in the pros, with the 29 year old signing up with It’s A Bout Boxing Ireland.

The Déise fighter feels that now is the right time, and described to Irish-Boxing.com how “the opportunity came up to go pro and I was delighted to take it as I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. I’m more ready for it than ever.”

Barnes will fight at super middleweight in the pros, and has promised his followers to expect something a bit different when they see him debut on April 1st on the Táimid Laochra card at the National Stadium. He explained that “I think my style of boxing will be different than it was in amateur boxing. I’m looking forward to fighting pro so I can really open up. I prefer to fight with a more aggressive style.”

“I really like the style of Edwin Valero. I’d look up to him a bit, his style of fighting. He’s more aggressive as well.”

Turning pro relatively late, ‘An Dinimít’ wants to get in the mix quickly and he outlined how “my plan for my career really is to stay active, to get as many fights as I can, and to win them.”

“I also want to cause a few upsets as well! It’s my passion to box so this has been a goal of mine for many years. I want to make an impact on Irish boxing. I’m taking it serious and training hard – but I’m also going to be enjoying it.”

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Eric Donovan joins Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill on Episode 2 of the Irish Boxing Show: