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Barnes furious as judges fail to award Belfast boxer a single point
Friday, 22 August 2008
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Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes has been beaten by China's Zou Shiming in today's Olympic semi-finals in Beijing.
The Irish senior champion from the Holy Family club in Belfast fought bravely in front of thousands of Zous supporters at the Workers Indoor Arena.
Light-flyweight Barnes looked promising but in the end the Chinese gold medal favourite claimed a 15-0 win over the north Belfast fighter.
The scoring system was reduced to farce as the judges decided that Barnes did not land a single scoring shot, despite connecting with Zou on a number of occasions.
Although Barnes was unlucky not to register a point the Chinese World Champion was clearly the better fighter.
Zou boxed superbly on the backfoot throughout to lead (2-0, 8-0,11-0) at the end of the first three rounds. He then added another four points to his tally in the fourth.
After the match Barnes was full of rage. He slammed the Olympic judges for the scoring and branded them 'a disgrace'.
"The judges should hang their heads in shame," a furious Barnes explained.
"There is no doubt I lost the fight - by a mile.
"He beat me fair and square but to not to score a point? I hit him with a lot of shots.
"I get drug-tested here at the Olympics - well after this I think that the judges should be drug tested."
Irish coach Billy Walsh said: "There is no doubt about the decision. There is no doubt about the winner. The guy [Zou] has been unbeatable. Paddy gave everything he had. It was a big ask to come here against a world champion in his own backyard.
"We're extremely pleased with Paddy's performance. He got a medal at the Olympics at the age of 21 and has a great future ahead of him."
Barnes' bronze medal is the second for Ireland's boxers after Darren Sutherland was beaten in his middleweight semi-final by Great Britain's James Degale earlier today.
Ireland's Ken Egan faces Tony Jeffries in the light heavyweight semi-finals later today.
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Comments
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
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
Well done Paddy. I don't feel all the judges should've been from the host country.
Posted by Kerry | 23.08.08, 12:26 GMT
25 Comments