Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes set for hero's welcome on return from Beijing

Monday, 25 August 2008

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Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes will arrive home in Belfast this week to a hero's welcome after his stunning displays in the boxing ring at the Beijing Olympics.

He will have around his neck Northern Ireland's first Olympic boxing medal since Wayne McCullough took Silver in 1992 in Barcelona, and his Bronze is a repeat of that won by Hugh Russell in 1980 in Moscow.

The 21-year-old has thrilled thousands in the Workers Arena in downtown Beijing with his gutsy performances, while millions watched on television around the world. Former World Heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has been an interested spectator at ringside for his light-flyweight jousts.

The little man from the Bone in north Belfast has shared his magical time in Beijing with his girlfriend Mari, parents Ellen and Patrick, and younger brothers Gareth and Thomas who all travelled to the other side of the world to support his bid for Olympic glory.

"I'm just glad that I'm able to being something home to everyone who has supported me and cheered me on throughout these Olympics," said a tired Barnes, who beat opponents from Ecuador and Poland before dreams of Gold were finally extinguished on Friday by China's double world champion Zou Shiming in front of a raucous home crowd, the much more experienced 27-year-old winning on points.

"It's fantastic to be bringing home a medal but I always believed in my own ability. I was disappointed with the judges' scoring in the semi-final. I think the crowd played a big part," said Barnes.

"Your initial aim is to qualify for the Olympics but then once you are here you want to win a medal and thankfully I was able to do that."

Rumours of free bars in north Belfast during Barnes' fights have reached the boxer's ears and he joked: "I hope there'll be a few more when I get home!"

Barnes will be a man in big demand when he gets back to Belfast, with a long list of media and civic demands to attend to. A City Hall reception is a certainty.

Barnes is proud to be following in the footsteps of the likes of Wayne McCullough and Hugh Russell, maintaining Belfast's fine tradition of producing champions in the lighter weights.

"Wayne and Hugh both went on to have very good professional careers after the Olympics but I'm still not sure what path I'll be taking. I might hang around for London 2012."

The boxer's father Patrick said: "We're all just so proud of him. He's come to the Olympics and really done the business.

"Qualifying for Beijing was a big achievement so to have gone on and won a medal is something very special. The whole experience has been phenomenal. We've had so many messages of support from back home and we're very grateful to everyone for getting behind Paddy.

"Hopefully now the sporting bodies can put a decent package in place to enable Paddy to stay amateur and go for Gold at London 2012. He's already had approaches to turn professional but I would love him to put his pro career at least on hold. But the lad has to live and I'm just hoping that common sense prevails in terms of funding."

Surely little Paddy Barnes has earned the right to get the best backing available if he decides to go for Gold at London 2012.

In Beijing, a star was born. And Barnes could shine even brighter in London.

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25 Comments

I dont think that was write what was done to paddy. You should have been fair with the both of them. I'm a boxer myself and I'm not happy?? sorry

Posted by Danielle | 07.09.08, 17:44 GMT

for all you who have critised paddy barnes!!!!!! you had to be in beijing to fully understand why he was complaining!!! did you know that after the boxing match that there was a press conference held because of the lack of points!!!! paddy knows simming beat him but not 15- 0, what would you do getting out of the ring after that and reporters shoving mikes in your face!!!!! so we are all entitled to our comments but think about the other side of them before you open your mouth!!!! and find out abit of boxing!!!!

Posted by rebecca | 26.08.08, 00:02 GMT

Alwyn, try posting comments on things you have actually viewed!

Well done Paddy, I would have been raging too>judging was an absolute shambles!!!

Posted by Michael Collins | 25.08.08, 12:10 GMT

I think the judging at the boxing matches was a complete fiasco. Kenny Egan didn't get credit for about 5 points and other matches I watched were just as badly scored. The olympic commitee must review the tapes and correct the situation for the next olympics.

Posted by John Paterson | 24.08.08, 20:35 GMT

I think tghe judging at the boxing matches was a complete fiasco. Kenny Egan didn't get credit for about 5 points and other matches I watched were just as badly scored. The olympic commitee must review the tapes and correct the situation for the next olympics.

Posted by John Paterson | 24.08.08, 20:32 GMT

If the judging was unfair then little attention would have been paid to it if Paddy Barnes had not "acted so unprofessional".

It remains to be seen whether it was the Paddy Barnes or the event judges who acted in an unprofessional manner.

I don't know what to think because I did not see the fight so perhaps "the Tele" could post it here for folks like me?

Alwyn

Posted by Alwyn | 24.08.08, 16:30 GMT

The judges at most events have been disgraceful same thing happened with Kenny Egan.

Posted by Steve | 24.08.08, 12:44 GMT

Name Country Function
SERVIDE Roberto ARG Referee
ROSE Wayne AUS Judge 1
APA Enrico ITA Judge 2
CHIASSON Pierre CAN Judge 3
KIM Jae Bong KOR Judge 4
CARBONELL Armando COL Judge 5

Were there four chinese judges? NBC.com lists none of them for that bout.

Posted by Andrew | 24.08.08, 06:40 GMT

Initially I tried to watch the Olympic boxing matches but the scoring was such an abomination that I could not morally finish watching them.

Watching the Olympic boxing scoring was as painful as listening to a moron trying to explain the special theory of relativity.

I will give the boxing referees the benefit of doubt and just say they are extremely incompetent. However, I saw this extreme incompetence in a majority of matches. It makes one wonder if there is rampant corruption in Olympic boxing

Posted by Arnold | 24.08.08, 06:36 GMT

A very bad loser he should have been happy with what he got but what does it matter he lives in united kingdom but was boxing for not the north but the south sore loser indeed any young boxers i know are happy just to win he wont go far with that attitude anyway

Posted by wilma | 24.08.08, 00:54 GMT

DK, how can you say Barnes will make it if he turns professional! Judging an amateur boxer! don’t you know that boxing involves Continuous development of skills through experience so I have no doubt that paddy has every chance of being a successful boxer if turned professional, getting this far in the Olympics is surely a positive experience!
Though not scoring a point in his semi-final fight was somewhat controversial!

Posted by Owen | 23.08.08, 19:38 GMT

kerry how can you say barnes will make it knowwhere is he turns professional! judging an amature boxer! dont you know that boxing involves Continuous development of skills through experience so i have no doubt that paddy has every chance of being a successful boxer if turned professional, getting this far in the olympics is surely a positive experience!
Though not scoring a point in his semi-final fight was somewhat Controversial!

Posted by Owen | 23.08.08, 19:30 GMT

Not a very good loser.Needs to learn a thing or two.

Posted by Paul | 23.08.08, 18:42 GMT

You can take the man out of Belfast but you can’t Belfast out of the man, it’s a pity that he didn’t meet, China's Zou Shiming in the first round then he wouldn’t have had the chance to cry foul of the Olympic spirit. It’s not about winning it’s about taking part if he wants a role model look no further than Eric Liddell.

Posted by B. Corr | 23.08.08, 18:31 GMT

The kid should have got a few points from the judges,i have watched boxing for 50 years so i should know something of the scoring but he was in the end well beaten by a much superior boxer no matter who did the judging.

Posted by Jim Fallon | 23.08.08, 18:26 GMT

Paddy gave a good effort, was aggressive and should have been awarded points for some right hand blows. But, like many other boxers he should have used his left hand a lot more. It seems the most basic punch - the left jab has been forgotten. The Olympics boxing in general was very disappointing - more street fighting and clinching than boxing - and the judging was a disgrace.

Posted by Brian | 23.08.08, 16:24 GMT

Paddy needs to stop spitting his dummy out, yes he should have scored a couple of points but he was easily beaten by Shimizing Zou. I agree that he should have his view heard but telling the olympic officals 'They can keep bronze medal' is very unprofessional.

Posted by Ryan | 23.08.08, 15:26 GMT

Sore loser. He was even lucky to get a bronze. Don't think we will see him at the London Olympics or make it anywhere if he turns professional. There are better boxers out there.

Posted by DK | 23.08.08, 15:11 GMT