Paddy Barnes has confirmed that he will turn professional, with a debut bout in Belfast before Christmas a possibility.
Ireland’s three-time Olympian will leave the amateur ranks and go in search of a world title after the disappointment of failing to fulfil his gold medal dreams.
The 29-year-old won bronze at the Olympic Games in Beijing and London, but fell short at Rio 2012, losing to Spain’s Samuel Carmona Heredia in a split decision.
Now the Belfast man wants a new challenge.
He said in a blog on the Paddy Power website: “Now it’s time to go pro, I’ve been in the amateurs too long and I want a new challenge.
“The experience was brilliant, but after a few Olympics I know what it’s like.”
“My debut will possibly be before Christmas in Belfast. It’s my home city so it would be great to begin my career there.
“I’m going to start off at a flyweight, hopefully move through the weights and probably end up bantamweight at the end of my career.
“I’ll still be disappointed with my (amateur) career, not winning a gold medal.
“That will never leave me, but bringing back the world title is something that’s just as recognisable. That will in some ways make up for it.”
Barnes' dreams of gold were ended twice by China’s Zou Shiming – and he wants revenge against that particular opponent.
He stated: “I obviously want to win a world title, but the fight that I really want is the guy from China – Zou Shiming.
“He’s the big money fight and he’s the one who I’ll be targeting. I want to win the world title, go to China and defend it against him.”
