Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan scored two emphatic victories for Italia Thunder versus the USA Knockouts in Roseto Degli Abruzzi in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) at the weekend.
Barnes had his hand raised in victory after the expense of Melik Elliston after his corner threw in the towel late in the fourth round in Italy.
The Denver light-fly had lost all three rounds up to that point, and with Barnes unleashing almost his entire arsenal and the American offering little by way of return the fight was stopped by the USA corner.
Barnes now moves two points clear at the top of the WSB Individual rankings with two fights remaining in the race for the one automatic WSB light-fly Olympic place.
Conlan produced a classy five rounds to take a 50-45 verdict across the board against USA bantam Francisco Martinez. Usually an orthodox, Conlan, who had a particularly good opening three frames, boxed southpaw for the entire contest against the American, who was ranked No. 1 in the WSB Individual bantam rankings going into tonight’s five rounder.
Tonight’s win moves Conlan right back into the frame for Olympic qualification with two fights remaining.
Irish coaches John Conlan and Eddie Bolger were working the corners for both fights.
