Ranking snub stuns Barnes

One of Ireland’s prime Olympic medal hopes, boxer Paddy Barnes, has been left stunned by the latest world rankings which have resulted in him falling off the list just weeks before the Games begin in London.

The Belfast fighter was ranked sixth last month but was conspicuous by his absence from the 33 names released by the World Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) yesterday and that may yet have serious ramifications for the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist as it is understood the top six ranked boxers in each category will be seeded.

“I could have to fight the world champion in the first fight,” said Barnes yesterday. “I’m confident that I can beat anybody, but it’s just making my job harder. I just want to put out the fact that the rankings that have come out are unfair and stupid.”