While Irishman Paddy Barnes came up short last night in his first world title shot as a professional, a number of positives can be taken moving forward.

It was always going to be a tough bout against excellent Nicaraguan champion Rosales but credit to Barnes, he stepped up to the plate in a world title shot in only his sixth professional fight.

The bout was stopped inside the distance after Rosales landed what can only be described as the perfect body shot on Barnes.

Following the bout, Barnes in typical brutally honest fashion said it as it is:

Dared to be great tonight, failed, hit by a perfect body shot, well done @Cristof29794489 ya bastard!

— Paddy Barnes OLY (@paddyb_ireland) August 18, 2018

23-year-old Rosales looked every bit of a world champion last night, in fairness.

As for Barnes, it’s back to the drawing board for the time being but he can look back at the tape today over some of the early rounds with pride.

In what was a barnstormer of a fight while it lasted.

Moreover, the fact the defeat happened this early into his professional sweet science tenure, it will only stand him in good stead over the long run if he uses the defeat to come back stronger.

The attendance last night was pretty much a sell out with well over 24,000 people in attendance at Windsor Park.

Despite the rain.