Brilliant Paddy Barnes claims huge KO win on big Belfast bill

Paddy Barnes gave the best performance of his professional career tonight in Belfast and scored his first ever knockout in the paid game.

The Cliftonville flyweight was in action, live on BT Sport, on the ‘Frampton Reborn’ undercard at the SSE Odyssey Arena and claimed a beautiful sixth round bodyshot knockout.

Barnes had been initially due to defend his WBO European belt which he won during the Summer but a lack of willing and eligible opponents forced a change.

Instead the former amateur star faced Nicaraguan Eliecer Quezada for the WBO Intercontinental title, a second belt to potentially boost his #14 ranking with the body.

The double Olympic bronze medalist would dominate, giving a statement performance in which he dropped Quezada in the second before forcing a ten count in the sixth.

An exciting opener saw both trade, Quezada being the aggressor but Barnes landing the better shots.

This pattern continued into the second before Barnes momentarily stunned the Nicaraguan. The Leprechaun poured on the pressure and then floored Quezada heavily with a right hook out of the card. The Central American fell in stages, and Barnes would receive a warning for landing a cuffing shot while Quezada was down.

With no time left in the third, Barnes resumed his assault in the third, trading at centre ring and landing the heavier, more volumous punches. Quezada though was fighting back with all he had, and landed one big right toward the end of the round that affected Barnes

A slower fourth saw Barnes target the body initially before a furious final 30 where the pair went toe-to-toe once again

Quezada’s will to fight seemed to be waning in the fifth, with the visitor making a meal of a seemingly innocuous bodyshot that was ruled low. The Latino’s output was dropping and Barnes was firmly in control.

The end finally came in the closing seconds of the sixth when, after a round of dominance, a combination leading to a perfect left hook to the body sent Quezada down for the count.

The maiden knockout victory sees Barnes improve his professional record to 5(1)-0, while the flattened Quezada falls to 21(8)-7(3)-3.

Now a holder of two belts with the organisation, Barnes will step up his title hunt in the new year.