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Barnes on the podium with his bronze in 2012. Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Double Olympic medalist Paddy Barnes hangs up his gloves

The Holy Family BC fighter secured bronze at the 2008 and 2012 Games.

BELFAST BOXER PADDY Barnes, who claimed Olympic bronze medals  in 2008 and 2012, has announced his retirement from the sport.

The 32-year-old represented Ireland at a third Olympic Games in 2016, carrying out the flag in Rio before turning professional later that year.

As a pro, he forced a decision victory against Silviu Oiteanu to claim the vacant WBO European flyweight title at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. In 2018 he fought Cristofer Rosales at Windsor Park for the WBC flyweight title, but suffered a fourth-round defeat.

His last fight was a fourth-round loss to jay Harris in Belfast’s Union Hall last month.

“I have loved every minute of boxing, it has been my life for the past 21 years,” Barnes said in a statement on Twitter.

“I have achieved my dream of becoming an Olympian and getting to carry the Irish flag at the Olympic Games opening ceremony. Those moments were the proudest of my career.

Professional boxing was never a dream of mine but I tried and threw myself into the deep end straight away. It didn’t work out but I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

“I’d like to thank my family for supporting me throughout my entire career, my wife Mari for keeping my feet firmly on the ground and helping me towards my goals.

“I want to thank my parents Jimmy Linden, Gerry Storey, Seamy McCann and everyone at the Holy Family boxing club.”

paddy-barnes-and-his-fiance-mari-after-he-received-his-bronze-medal Mari and Paddy celebrate in London. ©William Cherry / Presseye ©William Cherry / Presseye / Presseye

It is his exploits as an amateur that will remain Barnes’ lasting legacy. His runs to the semi-final stage of Olympic competition in both 2008 and 2012 were halted by China’s  Zou Shiming, who went on to claim gold on both occasions.

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:30 PM

    Why is there a Hollywood star in the picture lads?

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    Mute grandslamkbo
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:48 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Didn’t go for glory at the end either, just passed the ball on to COB to put the game away. Israel Folau should take note.

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    Mute William Finnegan
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    Feb 16th 2019, 9:34 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: sporting icon

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:04 PM

    Fair play to Leinster, it got sticky in a game that should have been straight forward but they hung in there and got the job done and came home with the bonus point win. There were some very average performances in the first half, especially from the all international front row who were all outplayed but the half time chat got them all more focussed. Fardy did well and Deegan put in some big numbers. Thought o brien did well at 12 too and so did Gibson Park. Perfect result for Cullen, maximum points but plenty of work ons for the young lads come Monday morning.

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    Mute The_Muffin_Man
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:27 PM

    Porter is one of the most overrated players at the moment. Has little to no influence over a game and is average at best. Without bias to munster I would put him below stephen archer

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    Mute Eoin Murphy
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:32 PM

    @The_Muffin_Man: good joke im sure stephen archer is in the ireland squad too

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:54 PM

    @The_Muffin_Man: well for the bench, Ryan a better all round option maybe.

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    Mute Fiachra Ahern Esq
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:58 PM

    @The_Muffin_Man: about time someone called this. Porter is really struggling for form at the moment and it’s a worry if Furlong gets injured. The gulf is massive

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    Mute Rollander
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    Feb 16th 2019, 11:20 PM

    @The_Muffin_Man: what absolute shite talk. Porter is still firmly 2 for Ireland.

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    Mute Mike Rugby Nuts
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    Feb 17th 2019, 8:55 AM

    @The_Muffin_Man: I cringe watching him trot around the park. Nothing in open play but excellent in the scrum.

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    Mute Bob Joe
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    Feb 17th 2019, 1:49 PM

    @The_Muffin_Man: 1 bad game, he is a class ahead of Ryan. Deluded

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    Mute Anthony
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    Feb 16th 2019, 7:11 PM

    Carty has to start against Italy

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Feb 16th 2019, 7:13 PM

    @Anthony: why?

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    Mute Ian Verdon
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    Feb 16th 2019, 7:46 PM

    @Jim Demps: Because he’s a Connacht player and Anthony is extremely biased towards Connacht players.

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    Mute grandslamkbo
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    Feb 16th 2019, 8:38 PM

    @Ian Verdon: had he led with Ultan Dillane, he would have snapped up 50 recs by now. Dillane was outstanding. Looks like he’s really enjoying his rugby.

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    Mute Ian Verdon
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    Feb 16th 2019, 10:00 PM

    @grandslamkbo: Yeah dillane is back to his destructive best, it’s brilliant to see. His carriers were so explosive tonight and I would love him to start against Italy.

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    Mute Anthony
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    Feb 17th 2019, 12:02 PM

    @Ian Verdon: haha keep biting lads lol

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    Mute rowan hill
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:00 PM

    Lucky lucky boys

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    Mute Oval Digest
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:04 PM

    @rowan hill: A lucky 16 point, 6 try win away? I’ll take it!

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    Mute grandslamkbo
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:43 PM

    @Oval Digest: Yep. They really dicked about in those 10 minutes before half time. Lost composure everywhere and the state of that Dave Kearney ‘tackle’ for the 3rd Zebre try!! Their conference is as good as over but some of the players are trying to get back in the national squad. They need to do much better. But, like you, I’ll take it. Plenty of home games left aswell.

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    Mute mrbryanrussell
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    Feb 16th 2019, 7:14 PM

    10 points from securing 1st place at this stage. The league is brutal at stages (teams not sending teams to win away) tied in with Leinster being very good in others.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Feb 17th 2019, 12:00 PM

    Watched it again, COB , Doris, deagan and moloney where all very good.
    The best player on the pitch was JGP. His box kicks were very good and not for the first time this season set up a box kick and sniped a sneaky pass from the base allowing massive yards

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    Mute Santi Charlie Bravo
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    Feb 16th 2019, 6:32 PM

    You might aswell have called them “Zebra”

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