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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Paddy Barnes shares comical (and bloody) St Patrick's Day memory

Most people will have pleasant memories of St Patrick's Day - but for one former Belfast boxer it brings back painful memories.

Paddy Barnes stepped up two weight divisions to fight Oscar Mojica on March 17, 2019 at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York.

His good friend Michael Conlan also appeared on the bill, beating Ruben Garcia Hernandez at the iconic venue.

Read more: Leigh Wood tribute to Michael Conlan after fight wins top award

Barnes didn't have such luck, however, being battered from pillar to post before suffering a stoppage defeat to Mojica.

The North Belfast boxer sustained a broken nose inside the opening 15 seconds of the fight, and was then floored by a punishing body shot in the second.

The visibly bigger Mojica dominated the six-round contest, but somehow only managed to claim a split decision victory after one judge scored it in favour of Barnes.

Four years on and Barnes can see the funny side. Wishing everyone a Happy St Patrick's Day, he shared a photo of his bloodied face sitting on the stool between rounds during that fight.

He said: "This day 4 years ago in New York, MSG. This was the 1st round of a great fight. Happy St Patrick's day."

Photo Paddy Barnes shared of THAT fight in 2019 (Paddy Barnes Instagram)
The Belfast boxer can see the funny side now (Paddy Barnes Instagram)

It was such a painful defeat that Barnes hinted at retirement in the immediate aftermath.

He said at the time: "To be honest, I will probably retire now. I don’t think there is any point boxing on after a defeat like that.

"The fans were great but at the end of the day I have to take care of my health. If I am going to box like that, then what’s the point boxing anymore?

"I can’t contest for a world title with that performance. I strongly think retirement could happen.

"I always said if I lost again, I would retire. So that will be it.

"I stepped up to bantamweight, and I could feel his strength. The first shot that hit me broke my nose. The fight wasn’t even close, I thought he won every round.”

Barnes did return to fight two more times before finally hanging up the gloves just seven months later following a defeat to Jay Harris.

The 35-year-old fought just nine times as a pro despite being one of the greatest ever amateur boxers to come out of Ireland.

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