Did anyone watch this? I recorded it and totally forgot about it until yesterday and having watched it i have to say, Barnes looks so uncomfortable with a come forward fighter who digs in and keeps throwing. I konw its Barnes 3rd pro fight, but from what i have heard he is supposedly being fast tracked to a world title, on that performance i think they should stay well clear of World Level for a while. Olteanu rocked him badly in the 2nd and Barnes looked gassed out in the second half of the fight, was fighting in tiny spurts for most of the last 5-6 rounds. Credit to Olteanu, he exceeded expectations and came to win and its a good learning fight for Barnes but i think it was a huge reality check. The Bloke is not ready for World Level and imo appears far from it. I agreed with the 95-95 that one judge gave. On a side note - Stephen Ormond vs Craig Evans was one of the most horrible fights ive had the displeasure of watching recently, ugly fight, 30 minutes of wrestling and falling over whilst clinching, dreadful stuff.
Yeah, Barnes struggled there for sure but I thought he just scraped it. They're trying to move him quickly but owing to his age I'm not surprised. Should take on another couple of Euro type guys just to get used to that level and then press on. Much happier seeing this now than Olteanu as his 15th fight though
Yeah there was a few close rounds that could have went either way so can see how people think that Barnes edged it and have no argument there. Also agree his age is a limiting factor but to get him to a World Title in 6 fights like the commentators had mentioned is crazy. However like you said, having came through a proper fight and got the nod in his 3rd fight will only serve him well and its better than knocking out bums for 2 years then realising you are struggling against Olteanu's level. Good fight to watch though, made up for that horrible "Fight" between Ormond and Evans, felt like turning it off halfway through that so im glad i persevered.
They'll probably aim toward Zou Shimming. He isn't great to be honest, has always looked very beatable and doesn't have much pro experience himself. Aye that fight was aids
Yeah Shiming does look beatable after a couple more tought learning fights for Barnes. Seems to lack serious power and always looks cocky for some reason imo, would like to see Barnes take him out when he is ready.
Do not rate Barnes, nor Jamie conlan at all. Barnes was hurt from a body shot in his second fight also from a shocking opponent, and conlan went life and death in his last fight with a very average opponent. and you only have to look at Jamie for him to cut
Barnes has some flashy work but against a World Level opponent i doubt at this stage he would win more than a couple of rounds. Wide UD or stoppage, his ability to take a shot is debatable and his stamina looked a big issue for me against Olteanu. That said, a couple more fights under his belt where he can learn and tough it out he might have a crack at World Level. At the moment as i said further up, for me, he looks some way off that just now.
^ in fairness Barnes is a lot better than Jamie conlon. Jamie should retire. But agreed neither are great. Funnily enough I feel Barnes takes a punch very well and is very fit. What worries me is I just don't think he's a good enough boxer or puncher to make it at top level....
What concerns me is Olteanu wobbled him, and his work rate deteriorated badly to fighting in spurts. It was clean sharp bursts but not a great workrate and he was blowing. I think if that was against a top level operator with serious power that punch in the second round would have put him down. And his lack of activity would have been capitalised on. Olteanu was very awkward and made it difficult for Barnes to find distance to work, but if Barnes is as good as he is made out to be by some then he should have had a far easier night imo.
Never been impressed with Barnes one of the most overhyped ex amateurs, he'll end up a slightly more accomplished Frankie Gavin.
