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Hero's welcome expected for Belfast boxer

People are expected to fly into Belfast to congratulate boxer Paddy Barnes, after the youngster became Ireland's first medal-winner at the Olympic Games in Beijing.

The 21-year-old has secured a bronze medal after beating Poland's Lukasz Maszcyk to reach the semi-finals in his weight division, light flyweight.

He is still gunning for Ireland's first gold medal and will face Chinese world champion Zou Shiming on Friday, with a guaranteed silver on offer.

Barnes' father, Paddy senior, believes his son can win the top prize and expects him to return home to a hero's welcome, whether he claims gold or not.

"I am sure everybody back home is very happy. It's the first medal that Ireland has won, the first Irish boxing medal in 16 years, and the first medal a Northern Irish person has won in 16 years," he said.

"I think he has a great chance. It is going to be hard fighting the world champion in his own backyard, but it's what Paddy wanted."

Boxing has been popular in Belfast for generations, with individuals from Barnes' gym the Holy Family Club alone winning five Olympic medals over the years. ADNFCR-1390-ID-18741124-ADNFCR

20 August 2008

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