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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 John McCabe
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    Nov 21st 2019, 10:55 PM

    Great Warrior, correct decision in my view, proud fighter and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

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    Mute Ned Flanders
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    Nov 21st 2019, 11:04 PM

    A proper sportsman. A person I’d genuinely would like to meet. The best of luck Paddy.

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    Mute Mark Campbell
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    Nov 21st 2019, 10:56 PM

    legend

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    Mute Quentin Tarantino
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    Nov 21st 2019, 10:50 PM

    Right time to go. Was a great amateur but probably regrets not going pro sooner. He didn’t get the tomato can opponents most boxers get at the start.

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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Nov 22nd 2019, 1:05 AM

    @Quentin Tarantino: wasn’t it a big mistake to ever go pro. .? He was a great way amateur.

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    Mute Martin McKenna
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    Nov 21st 2019, 11:18 PM

    Legend, great man, good luck in retirement.

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    Mute Brendan Boyce
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    Nov 21st 2019, 11:33 PM

    I look forward to the autobiography. What a sportsman.

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    Mute John Murphy
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    Nov 22nd 2019, 7:45 AM

    Had huge respect for him until he got mixed up with MTK

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    Mute still champ champ
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    Nov 21st 2019, 11:43 PM

    he deserved a lot more from the game. I remember his Twitter posts from the Rio Olympics. It was fantastic getting all the selfies with whoever he could. But his boxing achievements ate something to be proud of. Pity it didn’t take off in the pro game.

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    Mute Fionn Falcao
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    Nov 22nd 2019, 3:18 AM

    @still champ champ: I have always found selfies with celebrities a tad pathetic. But each to his own

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    Mute Joey Navinski
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    Nov 22nd 2019, 6:45 AM

    @Fionn Falcao: I’ve always found unnecessary negative comments pathetic but each to their own.

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    Mute Tony Henry
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    Nov 22nd 2019, 4:51 AM

    Class act, best of luck in your retirement Paddy

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    Mute Barry O'Carroll
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    Nov 22nd 2019, 12:11 PM

    Great sportsman who should be proud of his achievements in the ring. However, will never get the credit he deserves, since he associates with MTK/drug dealers/murderers.

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    Mute Thomas Byrne
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    Nov 22nd 2019, 10:03 AM

    It’s a shame he cant take a body shot… he could’ve been a world champion

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    Mute Peter Govan
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    Nov 22nd 2019, 11:40 AM

    @Thomas Byrne: I’d suggest he probably could take a body shot considering the amount of fights the man had at every level and the medals he won.

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