Paddy Barnes has suffered defeat in his first world-title fight tonight in Belfast's Windsor Park. Fighting the reigning WBC Flyweight belt-holder Cristofer Rosales, Barnes was knocked to the canvas after taking a powerful body shot from the Nicaraguan belt-holder in the fourth round of the bout.
Speaking on BT Sport in the immediate aftermath of Barnes' defeat, David Haye was damning in his assessment of Barnes' effort, suggesting that he was not equipped to handle such a capable opponent.
Asked whether Barnes had perhaps been rushed too far too soon into the professional game, Haye was in agreement.
I think you've hit the nail on the head there. There is professional boxing and amateur boxing, amateur boxing is over three rounds and three minutes.
It takes years and years of conditioning, sparring and tough fights to become accustomed to the kind of punishment you can receive [in a professional fight].
Give it two or three years of hard work, and he'll be able to take that body shot ... [but] his body is not toughened and hardened enough for this kind of level.
Give it a little while and he'll come back, but because he is 31, they've probably tried to rush him a little bit.
In what was only his sixth professional bout, Paddy Barnes will be confident that he can come again. A three-time Irish Olympian, Barnes claimed bronze at both the 2008 and 2012 games in Beijing and London respectively.
Despite being 31-years-old, his professional career is still in its relative infancy, and, having only had his first professional bout in November 2016, Haye believes the Irish fighter still has some way to go before he is ready for such nights in the ring.
A world-champion at both cruiser and heavyweight, Haye's condemnation didn't arouse much support from many of those watching the fight this evening.
David haye talks shite
— John sheridan (@123416Johns) August 18, 2018
David Haye giving it large about paddy Barnes body not being tough enough. Ok Dave
— Lee Hughes (@Hughesy197) August 18, 2018
David Haye shut up and go away...
— Micky (@MickyMarsh69) August 18, 2018
