The Punter: Barnes is worth it, Egan able

Wednesday, 20 August 2008

It was double Olympic success yesterday for Irish boxers.

West Belfast’s Paddy Barnes guaranteed himself a bronze medal after his quarter-final triumph in the light flyweight division.

But he now faces China’s Zou Shiming, a home-grown favourite and a man who beat Paddy in the World Championships last year.

So no surprise to see Paddy Power offering 9-1 about Barnes taking gold and 7-2 to clinch a silver.

One thing for sure, it won’t be for the want of trying on the Ardoyne man’s part.

But the south’s Kenny Egan who has captured a bronze at light heavy, must have an excellent chance of being a golden boy and is worth a decent bet at 6-4.

Neilstown native Egan is 4-9 top win his semi-final over Britain’s Tony Jeffries and that has to be taken after yesterday’s performance.

Outright betting:

Light flyweight: 1-2 Zou Shiming (China); 3-1 Yampier Hernandez (Cuba); 8-1 Purevdorj Serdamba (Mongolia); 9-1 Barnes.

Light heavyweight: 6-4 Egan; 13-8 Yerakbulan Shinaliev (Kazikstan) 4-1 Zhang Xiaoping (China); 6-1 Tony Jeffries (GB).

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