You could almost feel that one just watching it on television.
Paddy Barnes made the short journey to Windsor Park with the aim of becoming a professional world champion for the first time, he left it after four rounds with a bruised stomach and a broken dream.
It all started well for Barnes. Despite a bloodied nose early on, he’d settled into his boxing come the third round and was beginning to hurt the reigning WBC Flyweight Championship Nicaraguan Cristofer Rosales with a few hardy blows in front of a then giddy home Belfast crowd.
But then, just like that as the clock ticked down in the fourth round of Barnes’ sixth professional fight, Rosales issued the two-time Olympic Medalist with a cruel reminder that he’s the champ of this game.
His powerful and renowned right hand dropped by his side before he unleashed a devastating uppercut right into Barnes’ midriff. The Belfast man was immediately flattened by the sheer intensity of the blow and he rolled around the canvas in obvious pain.
The ref counted him out and that was it for Paddy Barnes.
Cristofer Rosales retains his WBC Flyweight Championship with a devestating body shot to stop Paddy Barnes. #RosalesBarnes pic.twitter.com/U4VSqgJj1t
— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 18, 2018
That was some hit, Barnes’ distress clear for all to see.
Heartbreak for Paddy Barnes in front of his hometown crowd 😔
Just watch the replays to see how devastating that body shot is 😱 pic.twitter.com/XvXkUeoQ5H
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) August 18, 2018
It’s back to the drawing board for him now.
Carl Frampton will be fighting later on this evening and you can watch it live on BT Sports.
BT Sport brings you the moments that matter this season with BT Sport Fight Nights, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup and MotoGP. Watch on TV and mobile via the award-winning BT Sport App. For more info visit bt.com/sport
