Paddy Barnes needs one win to qualify for Rio - but not just any old win

A win by either a unanimous or split decision, KO or TKO will qualify Paddy Barnes for his third successive Olympiad from his last World Series of Boxing (WSB) fights in Venezuela on April 18.

But what Barnes, who qualified for his first Olympics in Chicago in 2007, doesn’t necessarily want is victory by walkover or if his opponent is disqualified.

The top ranked light-fly at the end of the regular WSB next month will qualify for Rio 2016. Barnes is currently in pole position on 30 points after winning six straight bouts for Italia Thunder this season.