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Home » Conlan, Barnes score Belfast victories on homecoming night

Conlan, Barnes score Belfast victories on homecoming night

The 30 year-old, known affectionately as ‘The Mexican’, won every session against the Hungarian to improve to 18-0 in front of newly-turned professional brother Mick at ringside.

In a red-hot super-flyweight division, Conlan in now in line to fight one more encounter against a top WBO contender before a potential championship contest at the end of next year.

Clearly suffering from ring rust, Paddy Barnes claimed an unsatisfactory victory on his pro debut against Bulgarian Stefan Slavchev.

Although he won every round, family matters in the build-up meant Barnes wasn’t in optimum shape for the bout, but still comfortably cruised through the first three rounds.

In the fourth, Barnes put Slavchev through the ropes and continued to tee off as his opponent attempted to get to his feet, leading to retaliation seconds later.

Slavchev proceeded to pick Barnes up and give him a fireman’s lift which meant an instant disqualification to the crowd’s dismay.

Also on the bill, Marco McCullough survived a slight scare in the second to eventually force Luis Lugo to retire after four rounds.

Lugo’s corner cited an injured elbow for the pull-out, although McCullough was well on top in the previous session and seemed to have too much for the Mexican after dropping him hard.