WBC World Flyweight Champion Charlie Edwards has called for a fight with Paddy Barnes, saying fans would love to see an 'all British showdown'. Edwards will face off against Angel Moreno in a title defence next month, but a bout with Barnes certainly seems on the cards should he come out on top in that one.
Barnes was defeated in a world title fight by Cristofer Rosales in August of last year, only for the Nicaraguan to be dethroned by 25-year old Edwards four months later.
While Barnes had been called out in the past by Charlie's brother Sunny, he said in January that he had now set his sights on a meeting with the current World Champion. Speaking to IFL TV, he said wanted to fight the man who is also under the management of MTK:
Now that he has a world title and probably the best world title, the WBC is the best world title, if that fight was offered to me I’d take it straight away.100 percent...
I don’t really know the politics of boxing. I am with Frank Warren, he is with Eddie Hearn, but obviously we are with the same management team lets see what our managers say.
Edwards has now finally responded to the Belfast fighter, and while he was far from complimentary, he certainly seemed open to the fight:
Paddy Barnes Vs Charlie Edwards Any one
And is not a British and Irish clash🤨
🇮🇪🇬🇧🇮🇪🇬🇧🇮🇪🇬🇧🇮🇪🇬🇧🇮🇪🇬🇧🇮🇪🇬🇧@paddyb_ireland @CEdwardsBoxing pic.twitter.com/mCDzhv8aiJ— BoxingTribeUK (@BoxingTribeUK) February 6, 2019
I did speak to my management team and said if Paddy Barnes wants it, because it's my voluntary, I said let's make it happen...
Paddy who? Paddy who? I don't know where his head is at. He's calling me out but then all this happens.
I hope the fight does happen, wither for me or for Sunny (Edwards), because it's a British showdown. Everyone loves a British fight, and it could be a fight that everyone wants to see. Im sure it will happen, whether it's me or whether it's Sunny. I've got no qualms in beating him, it would be a long time coming with him being around the amateur scene...
While Barnes would no doubt love to come face off against Edwards, he didn't take too kindly to his comments here. He responded on Twitter, with his biggest gripe of all being referred to as 'British'.
Paddy who, 😂😂 your team is MY team and no chance you mentioned my name! By the way Charlie, I'm IRISH so it wouldn't be a "British showdown" https://t.co/zQCVaf9XkS
— Paddy Barnes OLY (@paddyb_ireland) February 6, 2019
Should Edwards emerge victorious against Moreno, Barnes may well have another world title shot on his hands.
