Two-time Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes is to fight for his first professional title in June.
The Belfast boxer will fight in the Waterfront Hall on June 17th for the vacant WBO European Flyweight Title. No opponent has yet been named.
Barnes turned professional after the Olympic Games last summer. He already has two wins in his career, defeating Stefan Slavchev and Adrian Dimas Garzon.
If the 30-year-old wins the fight, he will become only the second boxer to hold the title, after Scotland's Iain Butcher. A win in Belfast, could fast track Barnes to a EBU European title fight.
That belt is seen as the de facto continental title. Thomas Masson and Oleksandr Hyrkschuk fight for the title in May.
Belfast June17 we're back for @paddyb_ireland 's first pro title tilt!plus @JamieConlan11 &a belter in Evans vOrmond https://t.co/42ps23DhY8
— Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) April 20, 2017
The unbeaten Jamie Conlan will also fight on the same card. With a 19-0 record, 'The Mexican' continues his path towards a World title fight. After defeating Yader Cardoza for the vacant WBC International Silver Super-Flyweight title in March, another win for Conlan could catapult him towards a World title fight.
Barnes' title fight caps an interesting period for Ireland's Rio 2016 boxers. Earlier this week, Katie Taylor's Wembley bout was confirmed as a World title eliminator. Michael Conlan's second professional bout has also been confirmed for Chicago, while David Oliver Joyce revealed he was to turn professional.
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