22 Facts About Paddy Barnes

Patrick Gerard Barnes was born on 9 April 1987 and is an Irish former boxer who competed as an amateur from 2005 to 2016 and as a professional from 2016 to 2019.

In 2007, Paddy Barnes competed at the EU Championships in Dublin.

Paddy Barnes had his medal hopes crushed however when he suffered an eye injury.

At the World Championships in Chicago Paddy Barnes missed out on a bronze medal after he was defeated by China's Zou Shiming in the quarter-finals, Zou went on to win the gold medal.

In 2008, Paddy Barnes returned to EU Championships, this time in Cetniewo, Poland.

Paddy Barnes made it to the final where he lost to Hungarian fighter Pal Bedak.

Paddy Barnes won Ireland's inaugural medal, at the 2008 Summer Olympics, by winning his quarter final bout in the light flyweight division.

Paddy Barnes won a bronze medal after he was defeated in a second match with Shiming Zou in the semi-final, in a match where replays showed some of Paddy Barnes landed punches counted as points for Zou.

On 12 June 2010, Paddy Barnes won the gold medal in the light flyweight division at the 2010 European Amateur Boxing Championships.

Paddy Barnes's first fight came against Magomed Ibiyev of the Baku Fires, in Baku.

Paddy Barnes's second fight was another win, this time over Anthony Ortiz as Italia Thunder met the Puerto Rico Hurricanes.

Paddy Barnes's next fight was in Maiquetia, with a split decision win over Caciques de Venezuela's Finol Rivas.

Paddy Barnes was chosen to be the bearer of the Flag of Ireland Tricolour at the 2016 Summer Olympics, something that Paddy Barnes considered an "incredible honour".

Paddy Barnes lost the Ulster title in 2005,2006 and 2007.

Paddy Barnes faced Jimmy Moore from Limerick in each of his national finals being runner up in 2006 but winning the All-Ireland title in 2007 and 2008.

On 18 August 2018, Paddy Barnes challenged Cristofer Rosales for his WBC world flyweight title.

Paddy Barnes got off to a fast start, but was introduced to Rosales' power early in the first round.

Paddy Barnes fell on the canvas and wasn't anywhere close to beating the count, which meant a KO victory for Rosales.

Paddy Barnes was dropped by his opponent both in round three and round four.

The latter proved to be the final one, as Paddy Barnes was not able to beat the count, and Harris was awarded the KO victory.

In November 2019, Paddy Barnes announced his retirement from professional boxing.

Paddy Barnes is an Irish Speaker, and received a Silver Fainne in 2019.