PADDY BARNES HAS signed his first professional management deal with Macklin’s Gym Marbella (MGM), it has been announced.
The two-time Irish Olympic medallist, who had a disappointing Rio Games as he suffered defeat in his opening bout, announced last Friday that he was quitting the amateur game.
Belfast native Barnes admitted he had struggled to make weight for the lightweight division and intends to step up to flyweight for his pro debut.
He has joined the Spanish-based MGM team — set up by former Irish and European champion Matthew Macklin, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
“MGM are delighted to announce the signing of Olympian Paddy Barnes on a management contract,” reads a statement release today.
“The signing of Paddy Barnes has everyone at MGM very excited. An impressive amateur career has produced one of Ireland’s most popular Olympians. Three appearances at the Olympic Games produced consecutive bronze medals in 2008 and 2012.
“This led to Paddy being given the honour of being Ireland’s flagbearer at the most recent Olympics in Brazil.
“Paddy’s extensive list of accolades also includes Commonwealth Gold on two occasions, Delhi 2010 and Captain of Ireland in Glasgow 2014 , WSB appearances and a host of national titles. However, now is the time to begin a new chapter in his boxing career and Paddy cannot wait to get started.”
Details of the 29-year-old’s first fight will be announced in the near future, and Barnes said:
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time as an amateur and my achievements are something I am very proud of. Representing Ireland has always been my ambition and now I hope to emulate that success as a professional.
After the Olympics there was many offers on the table but being part of Team MGM was the natural choice and one I’m delighted with. I honestly believe I have the ideal team to guide me to world title opportunities.”
MGM Management added: “Paddy is a special talent. To represent your country with such distinction is a reflection of the ability he possesses.
“We anticipate Paddy will feature prominently on the world stage and we look forward to many great nights for Irish boxing moving forward.”
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Reignited the debate?? I can tell ya there’s fxck all debate in Kilkenny anyway
Who would be considered next in line for the job down there?
It won’t be anyone too far outside the camp…probably James mcgarry I’d imagine
Get won’t ever have the problem of staying on too long as a manager anywhere.
@GoT: Brian Cody’s baseball cap
Davy fitz has signalled his intentions after his Wexford jig is up.
Jig is more appropriate description!
At the moment: there will be debate when they are hammered again next year
Obviously it’s gonna be hard for KK when Cody goes, but that’ll be the case regardless of whether it’s next year or ten years from now. Hard to know what Ger’s point is.
@Lurfic: It was a nonsense argument where he drew parallels between the world of football and inter-county hurling, which were neither here nor there.
Ger is missing the limelight since the championship finished so he has to generate some interest in himself! Based on the experiences in 2001, 05, 10 and 13, it’s not even a debate that Cody stays to turn things around. The question could be posed in 2 years time if no further AI’s are won but not now. Go home Ger, you’re drunk!
He’s ahead of the game. It’s unlikely they will win anything next year.
It’s fair points and I see comparisons but cody is staying for 2 reasons Imo. He must feel he has something coming through and 2 he doesn’t want to end his reign on a loss to tipp in a AI final. Now in saying that if kk collapse next year he could be gone but he has all the time in the world to manage inter county as he’s retired
I gave up making opinions on Brian Cody tbh.Every time that people say that he and his KK team is finished,is ultimately the time that they go off and win.Its like they thrive on people doubting they’re ability to win after a big setback
And its Ger Loughnane saying it, a man who has done diddly squat compared to Cody. I doubt Brian will lie awake tonight worrying about what Ger thinks
Loughnane is a prat , likes to think he has some knowledge of current hurling, he’s living in the past a long time now, but in fairness getting well paid for it, the big mutton head
No great fan of Loughnane’s but in fairness his achievement of winning 2 All Irelands with a bunch of lads who had won feck all at underage deserves respect.
Cody can do as he likes in KK I would imagine.
At the end of the day, after Cody goes its up to the underage structures in Killkenny to keep the talent coming through. look at the KK clubs constantly doing well in Leinster.
The comparison with Fergie sums it all up. Those who came after Fergie had about half a billion to spend. Those who come after Cody will have the talent that KK have produced.
Outside of Kilkenny, other counties would be queuing up for Cody’s services! Brilliant manager, and as long as he remains interested, it is rubbish to suggest that he would serve his county best by walking away! Put it this way, who would do a better job in KK? Loughnane just being his usual contentious self imo!
Kk won 4 of the last 6 all Irelands.. why would he go ???