Returning Paddy Barnes looking to chase champion Charlie Edwards

With one of his most hated rivals currently holding a belt, Paddy Barnes [5(1)-1(1)] claims he is more determined than ever to become a world champion and move into immediate unifications.

Indeed, the Belfast flyweight believes it won’t be long until he secures another shot at a world strap.

Barnes attempted win a world title in record Irish time but came unstuck at Windsor Park last summer.

A vicious body shot saw him stopped by Cristofer Rosales in a WBC world flyweight title fight and the tough Nicaraguan would then subsequently be beaten by Charlie Edwards.

Barnes makes his return to the ring following this loss tomorrow night in New York and he wants to move quickly back up to world level, especially now that Edwards holds the green belt.

The double Olympic bronze medallist outlined how “after I get this victory in New York, I’d like to go straight back in to have a tough 10-rounder; hopefully for some kind of belt that can put me on the cusp of fighting for a world title again.

The journey back to the top starts at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s Day on the big Mick Conlan undercard.

Barnes has previously expressed a desire to fight South African IBF champion Moruti Mthalane and believes this is a pathway to his despised stablemate Edwards – who defends against Angel Moreno next weekend – but would also go straight in to the fight if allowed.

32 next month, Barnes is determined to push on and described how “I’d love a unification shot at Charlie Edwards one day. That’d be great.”

“Even if I got a straight shot at him, that’d be amazing and something to really excite me.

“What excites me about the prospect of facing Edwards isn’t just the opportunity to fight for a world title again; it’s that it’s Ireland vs. England and there’s genuine animosity between the pair of us.”

First though the former amateur legend must overcome tricky Texan Oscar Mojica over six tomorrow night.

The Glasgow-based Barnes is feeling sharp and noted how “the camp for this fight has been going very well and I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’ve been sparring Iain Butcher and earlier on in the camp I was sparring Marc Leach, so preparations have been superb.”