I agree, though Tom Stalker would give him a run for his money for that title. Both went into pros thinking they where better than they are. Barnes has very little punch resistance. Not helped by turning over so late.
I think Paddy should look to call it a day now. The Sunny Edwards fight would definitely generate interest but I can't see anything but Sunny beating him. Paddy was a brilliant amateur but do think he made the move to the Pro game too late and his best years were already behind him. That said, he fought for a world title in only a handful of fights so he has looked to take challenges rather than looking to pad out a record - so fair play to him.
Agree with all of that... That said, had he tried to pad a record it doesn’t appear he would’ve got to world title level. Sunny Edwards could still be an entertaining fight though, he’s a pillow fist so stylistically could work out a little better.
Paddy is just too old and in the wrong weight division. A tremendous career he has had id like to see him have a good break til Xmas to decide what to do. Two options really 1. Retires 2. Makes light flyweight and goes for the World title. I don't think he can make light fly anymore, he nearly kilt himself to make it for Rio. Paddy's had about 300 amateur fights if not more, all the time boiling down the weight. To put it into a picture. Aberdeen 2005 Paddy was skipping in a sweatsuit in a hotel room to make 48kg for the Four Nations final. Almost certain he beat Lee Selby the next day. One of the best Irish amateurs ever. Class act
I don’t think paddy has made light fly in years...even with 24-36 hours to recover in the pros I really don’t think it’s feasible now. Maybe box one more time just to go out on a win...but realistically his career is over. Paddy an Carl should be at light fly and super bantamweight respectively. At fly and feather they are just too small.
Option one is the one I hope his friends and advisors are urging. As @lencoreastside says 2 isn't feasible. His amateur career is an achievement to celebrate, maybe he can help bring the next generation along...
Around 300 amateur fights! Not often you see that amount of bouts from western Europe. That's a great amateur career. Hes got a lot to be proud of
What do you want from Barnes? He went out on his shield like a warrior. He did everything you could possibly ask of a boxer against a bigger, younger fresher puncher! He didn't give up soft during the fight and he didn't make excuses afterwards.
The reason I made this thread all those months ago isn't because I dislike Paddy (though I have gone off him in the pros) but rather because I've followed his career intently - as an amateur I always admired him and thought he'd been unlucky to go up against Zou twice, even though I thought he was unlucky not to get the nod in London. Three Olympics though, 12 years, it's realistically too long to wait for a fighter who's style doesn't translate. Luke Campbell, who turned over with an amateur style, took his time to learn his trade and is now thriving as a pro and mixing it at world level, for example. Paddy can look back with pride at his amateur career but will probably be thinking what-if regarding his pro career. Hopefully there's some money in the sport for him either in training or as a pundit. I certainly underestimated Harris. Looks strong and busy. I think he'd beat Selby if he has another good learning fight.