Paddy Barnes' Nemesis

Paddy Barnes after his heroic performance against Zou Shiming

At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing boxer Paddy Barnes was denied a chance to fight for gold by the hometown favourite Zou Shiming.  The bout was scored 15-0 against him.  A controversial decision indeed as replays suggested Barnes did land some clean punches. 

Fast forward to the present at the 2012 London  Games and  Barnes had his chance for revenge as the old foes met in the semi final yet again.  Paddy was ready this time and ran the World and Olympic champion close in an epic contest.  The scores ended level at 15 each after three heroic rounds of boxing from Barnes.

The Gods again refused to shine on Barnes as he was  beaten by a heartbreaking solitary point after a countback denying him a shot at the gold medal.  He did make history though by becoming the first Irish boxer to win medals at two consecutive Olympic Games.