Lee: Keeping Zaur Antia must be IABA’s number one priority

Andy Lee believes the IABA could have done more to stop Billy Walsh from leaving and says it is now imperative for the future of Irish amateur boxing to retain the services of coach Zaur Antia.

Walsh and IABA had been locked in negotiations for most of the year about a new contract but, unable to find a resolution, the long-serving head coach reluctantly resigned on Monday.

The shock departure, and the subsequent news that Walsh is now set to take up a job with the USA boxing association, has provoked a strong reaction from within the camp and also among the public but, potentially most damaging, from the Irish Sports Council.

Walsh’s departure could impact on the funding that IABA currently receive from the Irish Sports Council, who have publicly described the treatment of Walsh as ‘humiliating’ while also demanding they rethink the decision to watch him walk away.

But Lee, one of Walsh’s former charges, has pleaded with IABA to ensure that Antia, Walsh’s right-hand man in the High Performance Unit, remains in place.

The Georgian has been instrumental in Ireland’s ascent to one of amateur boxing’s putative super powers but, given Walsh’s departure, his future at the High Performance Unit is now unclear. Lee said: “It all seems a bit strange, I haven’t been in touch with any of the guys in the set-up for a while but I knew they’d been approached by numerous different countries and offered better terms when it came to pensions and retirement age and all that stuff.

“I think they could have done more to hold on to Billy and it looks bad publicly. It’s a shame because he’s been a great servant. He has put in a lot of time and added a lot to the sport in Ireland.

“Billy is a great servant who did a lot and I wish him well going forward but the key, for me, is for them to hold on to Zaur Antia. I’m not saying Billy didn’t do a great job but Zaur, the Georgian coach, is the one who is on the floor day-in, day-out, doing the work with the lads and has changed amateur boxing in Ireland.

“Losing Billy is a shame but now it’s so important that they do absolutely everything they can to hold onto Zaur.”

Lee, the current WBO middleweight champion, was one of the first success stories of Walsh and Antia’s tenure, having gone to the 2004 Athens Olympics as Ireland’s only boxing representative.

The shock resignation has left a cloud over preparations for the Olympics in Rio next summer, and Lee says it will only get worse unless they prevent further departures.

“Billy Walsh was my coach when I boxed for Ireland,” he added. “He did a lot for me but it was more in terms of guidance — he used his experience to help me in that way.

“But in terms of the technical side, the boxing side, Zaur was the one — even then.

“They came in back in 2003 a year before the Olympics and they added a lot for my style and to amateur boxing overall. They have to keep him.”

Meanwhile IABA president Pat Ryan has claimed the association will today “deal with all matters” concerning the fallout from Walsh’s resignation, while provisional coaching structures look likely to be finalised by the weekend.

The IABA were yet to confirm any media arrangements as of last night as officials were understood to be locked in debate as to whether to hold a press event to deal with media queries or issue an early-morning statement.

While Antia, who is held in high esteem by Ireland’s top fighters, is set to take over from Walsh, he is likely to share certain duties with his fellow senior coaches, but John Conlan may not have as hands-on a role as had been anticipated earlier this week.

Eddie Bolger, coach of world silver medallist Joe Ward, seems set to continue in his role and may act as a No 2 to Antia, but the immediate involvement of Conlan, father and coach of world champion Michael, could be limited due to his commitments as High Performance Head Coach for Ulster. The Dublin native is sure to continue to play a hands-on role in the training many senior Irish boxers, however.

Wexford native Walsh yesterday boarded a flight to America, having resigned from his post as head coach of Irish boxing’s High Performance Unit last Monday.

The IABA has come under heavy criticism from the Irish Sports Council and government ministers for their handling of the eight-month contract saga, but boxing officials were last night preparing to launch a fightback today.

“It’s an opportunity for us to deal with all matters concerning this Billy Walsh affair,” said IABA president Ryan yesterday evening, suggesting that a press event was likely to take place today.

“It’s important that we get an opportunity to state exactly the whole process that has taken place,” he continued.

“Some of the stuff that has been stated, one has to wonder what is it all about? It has nothing to do with what we are doing,” added Ryan, a former coach of Portlaoise middleweight Michael O’Reilly, who claimed bronze at the worlds. The IABA’s top brass have been reluctant to comment on specific details of negations with Walsh due to legal concerns.