PADDY WHACKED BY CHAMP

PADDY BARNES fell short in his bid to realise a lifetime ambition of winning a world title in his home city at a packed Windsor Park last night.

It was always going to be a monstrous task for the three-time Olympian against reigning WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales.

And the aggressive Nicaraguan, who stood three inches above his opponent and had a seven inch reach advantage, wasn’t to be denied his 28th pro win.

Barnes, bidding to win a world title in only his sixth pro fight, was counted out at the end of the fourth round after being caught by a vicious shot to the ribs.

It left the gutsy 31-year-old, who rolled the dice to take on Rosales so early in his pro career, sprawled in acute pain on the canvas (left).