Boxing:Belfast fighter Paddy Barnes has refuted reports he claimed boxing was boring following Thursday's victory over Scotland's Iain Butcher at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
The 23-year-old Olympic bronze medal winner wasn’t pleased with his performance in the 4-2 defeat of Butcher. However, he said it was his opinion that tactical planning by boxers and the ongoing debate over the scoring system in amateur boxing was in danger of making the sport a boring spectacle.
Barnes added: “What I said was completely taken out of context. I was frustrated after my fight because I didn’t feel I performed as well as I can. Boxers and coaches are developing new tactics all the time and it could be that the better boxers are in danger of being caught chasing points against an opponent who is on the run and defending a lead.
“Boxing is about aggression, style and most importantly, landing punches. If you cannot land a punch against an opponent who has a consistent tight guard, doesn’t that become boring to watch?
“That was my point. I do not find boxing a boring sport, I never have and I never will. I live for the sport and I love training. Being perfect in my sport is my greatest motivation and there is no way would I ever describe the life of a boxer or the sport as boring.
“For me it is the toughest sporting discipline in the world and it has given me so much joy and education. I am thankful for boxing and thankful to the people and organisations that have supported my ambition to be the best for my country.”
Barnes will face Australian Andrew Moloney in the light flyweight quarter-finals in Delhi tomorrow and remains a favourite to bring the Gold medal back to Northern Ireland.
He added: “What could be more exciting than being a young guy travelling the world as an athlete. It’s not an easy life but it is proof that with hard work, self-belief and support anyone can achieve their dream – and there’s nothing boring about that.”