THERE WAS DOUBLE delight for Irish boxing in the early hours of Sunday morning as both Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan qualified for next summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The Belfast pair were competing in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) in Maiquetia, Venezuela and for Barnes any victory was enough to secure his place.
The light flyweight beat Finol Rivas on a split decision to confirm his place at a third successive Olympics.
Things were a little more complicated for Conlan, the 23 year-old flyweight. He had to beat Jose Diaz and hope that Magomed Gurbanov lost to his Puerto Rican opponent.
And that’s how it played out with Conlan taking Diaz 49-46 and Gurbanov losing on by unanimous decision after being dropped to the canvas in the fifth.
Barnes will hope to claim a third successive medal in Rio having picked up bronze in Beijing 2008 and London 2012 while Conlan also won a bronze three years ago.
Billy Walsh, head coach of the Irish team, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted. Paddy and Michael have been magnificent this season, as have all our boxers in the WSB, and we’re delighted to have qualified two for the Olympics Games.”
