Paddy Barnes’ build-up to pro debut distracted by early arrival of daughter

When Paddy Barnes claims, “I couldn’t care who I’m fighting”, ahead of his pro debut tonight, it is said with some justification.  

The Belfast native has had slightly more pressing concerns.

Aged 29, the three-time Olympian will formally wave goodbye to the amateur ranks as he competes in his first paid bout, co-headlining a bill at Belfast’s Titanic Centre with Jamie Conlan live on BoxNation.