Barnes: Bronze medal 'for losers'
A bitterly disappointed Paddy Barnes dismissed his achievement of reaching an Olympic boxing semi-final today.
He also criticised the judges who gave him no points in his defeat to China’s Zou Shiming in today’s light flyweight Olympic semi-final.
He branded the standard of judging in his bout and the tournament overall as "a disgrace".
Asked if he nevertheless was still proud of his achievement of winning a bronze medal, Barnes said: "They can keep the bronze medal, I don't care. It's for losers."
The Holy Family ABC club boxer lost by 15 points to zero.
By contrast, a sense of pride helped lift the disappointment in north Belfast today as friends and family of Barnes reflected on his performance.
While Barnes’ mother and father Paddy senior and Ellen watched their son from ringside at the Workers Arena, back in Belfast the Glenpark Bar in the Ardoyne was packed with hundreds of supporters hoping their local hero would do the business.
Despite his failure to score a point in the one-sided contest fans rose to their feet and applauded Barnes at the final bell.
One of those who had come to watch was Paddy’s granny Phyllis Barnes.
“He’s still achieved something really great,” she said. “We’re all really proud of him. We’re already planning a big party for his return home.”
Paddy’s girlfriend, Marie Burns, had been in Beijing to watch his earlier contests but was in the air on a flight home during today’s fight because she had to get back to Belfast in time to be bridesmaid at her sister’s wedding.
There was an electric atmosphere inside the Glenpark throughout the four rounds of the fight and even as it became clear Paddy was not going to prevail the crowds, many of whom were dressed in T-shirts with their hero's face on, continued to sing “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole” and wave tricolour flags.
Eighty-one-year-old Phyllis said she could not wait to see her grandson’s bronze medal.
“He’ll be disappointed he lost but he was fighting the champion who had a lot of experience. To get the bronze medal is a great achievement, even getting to the Olympics was a great achievement,” she said.
“I’ll give him a big hug when he gets back, if he lets me hug him that is, he’s a big lad.”
Paddy’s aunt, Bridine Noble, 42, was also in the bar cheering on Barnes.
“He is still a champion to us,” she said. “He tried his heart out and the whole of north Belfast is so proud of him.”
One of the Holy Family club's famous former members is Hugh Russell, who won bronze in the flyweight division in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
“I think Paddy will be most disappointed that he didn’t manage to score a point in the fight,” said Hugh, who was also at the Glenpark for the fight.
“No-one can hold their hands up and say he deserved to win today but he definitely deserved to score some points.
“He landed punches on a number of occasions.
“It’s a massive achievement for him, getting the bronze. He’s upset now but when it sinks in he’ll realise just what he’s done.
“Back home he’s already a hero.”
Taoiseach Brian Cowen congratulated Barnes on his medal, the second Irish fighter to win bronze today after Darren Sutherland lost his middleweight semi-final bout earlier.
“To win an Olympic medal is a highlight of any career,” he said.
“And Paddy can be proud of how well he fought to reach today’s semi-final and he deserves his success.”
Stormont Sports Minister Gregory Campbell also paid tribute to the Belfast boxer.
“We are extremely proud of all our Northern Ireland competitors who have taken part in the Beijing Olympics,” he said.
“We congratulate Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes on winning a bronze medal in the light-fly-weight division. Wendy Houvenaghel’s silver (in cycling) and now Paddy’s bronze are fantastic achievements for sport in Northern Ireland.
“Paddy’s medal is the first boxing medal for Northern Ireland in 16 years. He is an inspiration to all those wanting to follow in his young footsteps. Paddy’s medal is a result of a rigorous training regime at the Holy Family Club, who have also been successful in past Olympics.”
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