Paddy Barnes in action in the WSB
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) have confirmed that boxers will compete over three, three minute rounds in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) versus AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Olympic qualifiers in Sofia, Bulgaria in May.
WSB boxers usually compete over five rounds, with APB fighters competing over eight and twelve rounds (championships matches).
AIBA Open Boxing (AOB) – regular amateur boxing – bouts are contested over three, three minute rounds.
Super heavy Dean Gardiner, heavyweight Darren O’Neill, welterweight Steven Donnelly and light-flyweight Paddy Barnes are signed for WSB sides for the new season which begins next weekend.
Lightweight David Oliver Joyce and light-heavy Joe Ward are Ireland’s APB boxers. Ward, Donnelly and Barnes have already qualified for Rio 2016.
WSB boxers must have competed at least twice – regardless of result – in the WSB this season, or once last season and once this season, to participate in the WSB versus APB qualifiers.
The top three ranked boxers in the eight weights from light-fly to light-heavy qualify for Rio in Sofia. Heavyweights and super-heavyweight must win gold in the Bulgarian capital to book tickets for the 31st Olympiad.
Irish WSB Boxers 2016 Season
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Puerto Rico Hurricanes)
91kg Darren O’Neill (Venezuela Caciques)
75kg Steven Donnelly (Hussars Poland)
49kg Paddy Barnes (Hussars Poland)