Boxing: Barrett batters way to record

Francis Barrett, the Irish gypsy whose gym is a metal container, became the talk of the boxing competition on Wednesday when the 19-year- old marked his debut by becoming the highest points scorer to date.

To wild cheers from the audience, Barrett outpointed the Brazilian light- welterweight Zely Ferreria 32-7, becoming the only boxer so far to rack up more than 30 points in one fight.

"I'm boxing for my country," said the man who carried the Irish flag at the opening ceremony. "I'm delighted also to be boxing for the travellers and the people of Galway," he added.

Fighting in a city that at night is a blaze of neon, Barrett reminded American reporters that places exist where even a light bulb is a luxury. "We've no facilities, we've no electric," he said.

Barrett inflicted a standing eight count in a first round that he took 11-0. He took even more points in the second, allowing the Brazilian a few as well, to go into the third 23-4 up.

Fola Okesola's inexperience was exposed by America's Mate Jones last night and it put an end to Britain's interest in the Olympic boxing tournament. Okesola turned away in the third round and was stopped by the referee with seven seconds of the heavyweight fight remaining.