Sport

Golden era for Irish boxing ends as Walsh heads Stateside

Michael Conlan celebrates another win with Billy Walsh
Michael Conlan celebrates another win with Billy Walsh Michael Conlan celebrates another win with Billy Walsh

A GOLDEN era for Irish boxing came to an end on Monday when Billy Walsh resigned as head coach of the Irish High Performance Unit and senior team.

Rumours the end was near for Walsh have been circulating for weeks and it came on Monday after he proved unable to agree new terms with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association and left to take up a new position with the USA women’s team.

In a statement on Monday night, chief executive Fergal Carruth said the IABA did its "utmost" to retain Walsh's services and they were "deeply disappointed" that he "made the decision to resign". Double Olympic bronze medalist Paddy Barnes said the Irish team's programme ahead of the Rio Games next year were "up in the air" following Walsh's departure. 

Walsh was the face of the Irish amateur boxing for the last 13 years and guided the likes of Michael Conlan, Paddy Barnes, Katie Taylor, Darren Sutherland, Darren O’Neill, John Joe Nevin, John Joe Joyce and Ken Egan to glory in an unprecedented run of success for Irish fighters. The Wexford native also played a part in the development of current world professional champions Carl Frampton and Andy Lee and guided Michael Conlan to Ireland’s first gold medal at the World Championships in Doha just last week.

Barnes, who won Olympic Games bronze medals in Bejing and London under Walsh’s watchful eye, will be in Rio next summer hoping to win gold: “Billy would have had programmes in place and training set out for us and now he’s away that’s all up in the air,” said the north Belfast man.

“I’m sorry to see him go, he’s been a part of my career since day one and he has helped me. He was brilliant at picking opponents and the best training camp to go to and profiling opponents. He was a brilliant motivator too.”

Walsh explained the reasons behind his decision to walk away in a statement released on Monday. He said the IABA is responsible for his departure: “Since February of this year I have been engaged in a process with the IABA to secure my future.

“A protracted process that went on for eight months included numerous high level meetings that resulted in various proposals. In August, a fair proposal was developed under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council that was acceptable and fair, but then not subsequently ratified by IABA.

“I was hopeful in recent weeks that a final proposal arising out of an approach in late September by the IABA would lead to a successful conclusion, but unfortunately it didn’t. Regrettably, the IABA have not made it possible for me to continue on in the role as head coach of the High Performance Unit and senior team.”

In the IABA's statement, Carruth said: “The IABA has been in discussions with Billy following his approach to the organisation to seek improved terms and conditions after he stated that he had received an offer from USA Boxing. 

"The IABA is deeply disappointed not to retain his valued services and, for the avoidance of any doubt, the IABA has done its utmost to retain Billy Walsh as head coach. However, Billy himself has made the decision to resign and take up a position with USA Boxing and we wish him every success with this.”

Carruth went on to pay handsome tribute to Walsh for his "tremendous hard work and dedication", but insisted the structures were firmly in place for the cream of Irish boxers to achieve great things.

Carruth continued: “On behalf of the IABA, I would like to reassure boxing fans that the exceptionally high skill levels of boxing being taught throughout the clubs of Ireland continue to nurture the rich talent required to succeed at the highest level. 

"This conveyor belt of boxing talent will continue to be developed and coached by the dedicated High Performance Unit team and the IABA is confident of the continuing success of our elite boxing athletes as they prepare for next year’s Olympic Games.” 

The IABA will make a further announcement in the coming days regarding the "succession plans for the High Performance Unit".

Earlier on Monday, Walsh paid tribute to the Irish High Performance coaches and staff and the many fighters he had worked with down the years: “Zaur Antia, Jim Moore, Eddie Bolger, Pete Taylor, John Conlan, Billy McClean and Dmytri are well positioned to take my work and the work of the high performance programme forward and lead this senior team into Rio to compete for medals,” he said.

“The boxers I have worked with (too many to mention for fear of leaving some out) have inspired and challenged me in equal measure and I salute their efforts, their courage and their amazing performances down through these last 14 years. I wish to thank them for their trust and support and for allowing me to continue in their corner for every fight they fought on the international stage.

“I wish them all every success in their endeavours to qualify and secure Olympic Medals at Rio and nobody will be more delighted to see Irish boxers succeed in Rio than me.”

At his right hand throughout his tenure has been Georgia-born coach Zaur Antia who pledged to continue the production line of international calibre fighters: “What you have given us and what you leave here is a big and strong team which will continue your mission and every achievement here, will belong to your name as a team member and leader,” he said.

“You will forever be part of the heart and soul of our team and your passion will be present in every step we take.”