Barnes exits World Championship
Published Monday, 03 October 2011
Belfast light-flyweight boxer Paddy Barnes has suffered a surprise defeat at the World Boxing Championship in Azerbaijan.
The light-flyweight lost 20-12 to Mark Barriga from the Philippines on Monday morning.
The defeat is a major setback, affecting his hopes of qualifying for the Ireland Olympic squad in 2012.
On Sunday, Michael Conlan claimed his second win at the Championships after posting an 18-17 decision over Olzhas Sattibayev of Kazakhstan.
The Belfast flyweight will now meet number two seed Nordine Oubaali of France in the last-16 on Tuesday for a place at the 2012 London Olympics.
Conlan was 7-4 and 13-11 ahead at the end of rounds one and two.
Boxers reaching the quarter-finals in the eight weight categories from light-flyweight to light-heavyweight will secure Olympics qualification.
Heavyweights and super-heavyweights must reach the semi-finals to guarantee qualification for the 30th Olympiad.