Conlan and Barnes ready for Paddy’s Day bouts in NYC

Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes spoke to UTV ahead of their trip to New York City. Credit: UTV

There could hardly be a better occasion than Paddy’s Day for Paddy Barnes to join the undercard of good friend Michael Conlan and the pair are ready for their big New York City bouts.

The Belfast pair jet off to the Big Apple, where Conlan will once again be headlining at Madison Square Garden after exploding onto the professional scene there on his debut two years ago.

Ten fights undefeated later and he is making the first defence of his WBO Inter-Continental title against Mexican opponent Ruben Garcia.

“The first year, I was nervous before even walking out – but as soon as the doors opened and the noise came, it felt like I was at home,” Conlan told UTV, during a trip to the barber.

“I feel a big year this year, some big fights, could leave me set up next year maybe on St Patrick’s Day in the Garden again for a world title fight which would be a dream come true.”

Barnes featuring on the St Patrick’s Day undercard in New York will be the friends’ first professional outing on the same bill.

“My nickname is ‘Leprechaun’ and I’m the only person called Paddy fighting on St Patrick’s Day in New York, so it’s my show, not his,” he joked, to a grin from Conlan.

He added, tongue firmly in cheek, that he had hoped none other than US President Donald Trump might walk him to the ring for his fight against Oscar Mojica.

“Obviously not available,” Barnes shrugged.

“So I’m gonna have to stick with Carl Frampton.”