Barnes makes history with Commonwealth Gold medal victory

Paddy Barnes rewrote boxing’s history book once again in his remarkable career when he collected a second successive Commonwealth Games Gold medal today (August 2).

Barnes, who won Gold in Delhi in 2010 before picking up Bronze in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, defeat his summer games foe Devendro Laishram of India, before a full house in Glasgow.

The Holy Family man’s success saw him become the first home nations fighter ever to defend a Commonwealth title.

He said: “It was a very tough fight – he’s a tough competitor and very strong. I had my game-plan though – the key thing was to win the first round and I did that.”

He added: “That’s a second Gold medal in the Commonwealth Games and it’s a good feeling. This is for everyone. I have had a lot of support throughout these Games and I appreciate it. It makes me very proud to be captain of the Northern Ireland boxing team and to be returning home with a record number of medals.”

The Northern Ireland boxing team end the Games with a total of nine medals – two gold, two silver and five bronze.