People think I’m set for life but they’re talking s***...i can’t just walk up and say, ‘I’ve got medals, give me a job!’

Barnes tells of fears after boxing career

Patrick’s Day where he’ll share the bill with pal Michael Conlan.

And next week the public will get a rare insight into Barnes’ life as part of a BBC series on his bid to learn Irish.

It’s a behind-the-scenes look into his life at home with wife Mari and children Eireann and Fianna, and at training camp.

Barnes said: “Michael Conlan was sending his kid to an Irish school and he wanted to learn Irish, so I said I’d go along with him and learn it. We went to a few classes in the Whiterock Library in West Belfast and I enjoyed it.

FLUENT

I train in Glasgow so I went to a few classes in Glasgow and in camp one of my team-mates, Sean Mccomb, is a fluent Irish speaker.

“Then I was approached about doing this show and it was something I was always interested in because I would love to progress with my Irish.

“I did Irish in school but like almost all of the subjects – I gave more thought to messing with my mates.”

But on St Patrick’s Day his focus will be on getting back to winning ways against US flyweight Oscar Mojica. It’s his first fight since his defeat in August and he still has a goal of a world title.

Barnes said: “I’ve been out of the ring a long time. But I’ve been training hard. I feel in great shape and I’m excited to fight on a big bill on St Patrick’s Day – and also the chance to fight in New York.

“I want world title shots as soon as possible. In my sixth fight I wanted to create history. There have been other champions in Belfast and Ireland. I wanted to be world champ as quick as possible. I think 10 is the record.”

Fir Fainne is on BBC Two NI on Monday and Tuesday at 10pm. It was supported by NI Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund.