Regrettable is certainly the common word, and yet two-time Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes doesn’t believe Billy Walsh is irreplaceable. What is certain is that Irish boxing has lost the finest coach of the generation, only not necessarily with immediate or drastic consequences.
“Obviously it’s a big loss to Irish boxing,” says Barnes, “Billy and I have been on the team together for years, so it will be a loss to me personally, too. We’ve had a working relationship for so long. It’ll take a while for someone else to come in, fill that void. It’s the end of an era, definitely.
“But I’m not surprised, or shocked. And I’m not cold or anything, either. If someone wants to move somewhere for more money, or a better life, you have to applaud them. And say fair play for taking the step.”
Finding a replacement for Walsh, however, shouldn’t be a problem: Barnes pointed to number of candidates, starting with current IABA technical coach Zaur Antia, and also believes Irish boxers are now at a level where winning medals at major championships is effectively a given.
“It just means bringing in a different coach, another human being. We’re the boxers. Mickey Mouse could be training us, and we’d be winning silver and gold medals, because we’re all so talented. So it won’t have a direct effect on the boxers.
“He (Billy) was great at planning tournaments, the right ones to go to. He’s a brilliant performance planner and performance manager and I think that’s what Billy wanted to be in the IABA. But he wasn’t. He was the head coach, and that’s probably why he left - because they wouldn’t give him it.
“Regarding what went on behind the scenes, or contracts, I haven’t a clue about any of that. I just know he got offered a good deal from America. And they (the IABA) must not have given him what he wanted.
“But there are a lot of good coaches in Irish boxing, who are capable of taking us further. John Conlan is fantastic. And the way I see it, Zaur is the best technical coach you could ever see, so he’d be developing boxers. So I would say Zaur is irreplaceable. He (Zaur) is the best coach. I’ve been around the world, seen loads of teams, and he’s the number one man. If he (Zaur) goes, I’d be worried for Irish boxing, yeah. Nor for myself, no, because I’ve already learnt a lot off him. But for all the young kids coming through, definitely, it’s important for Zaur to stay.”
Yet for Barnes, the light-flyweight who has already qualified for the Rio Olympics - after winning bronze in Beijing 2008 and London 2012 - there is clearly a tinge of sadness at losing not just a great coach but a good friend. Indeed Walsh’s resignation is further compounded by the fact he’s bringing his talents and experience to US women’s boxing.
“Like any coach, there was stuff we’d disagree on. But we’d argue one week and be best friends the next week. Billy knows that. So obviously he’ll be missed, and I’ll miss him myself, but I’m glad when he is leaving he’s in a better place for himself, more money and all that so fair play to him.
“He’ll certainly bring a lot to the US. He’ll manage the team properly. He knows what boxing teams want, what kind of sparring they need, what competition they need, so you’ll definitely see America improving now.”
