Walsh: 'It’s never really been about money'

Billy Walsh has denied that he resigned as head coach of the Irish High Performance Unit because of money.

Earlier today, he said that the Irish Amateur Boxing Association "have not made it possible for me to continue on in the role".

Ireland’s Olympic and world champion Katie Taylor said that she is “shocked at the news”, describing it as ”a big loss for Irish boxing”.

“I’m obviously going to miss him so much,” she said.

She added: “The team is definitely going to be weakened because he’s not there.”

Speaking to RTÉ’s Six One News, Walsh said: “We’ve been in contract negotiations for eight months, back and forth, and nothing has been agreed on,

“I obviously had guys who were looking to get me over to the States as quickly as they could.

“And fighting against that and holding off as long as I could to give every opportunity to stay here, which obviously hasn’t happened.

“And so my time is up and I had to give the indication … that it was time to go.

When asked if his decision was “about money”, he responded: “No, it’s never really been about money”, saying that he “wanted to run the programme as I see fit – and that’s been slowly dismantled over the last year or so.

“So it’s been a difficult time, to watch that.

Very sad to here Irish boxing have lost billy Walsh! The best coach iv ever worked wit no questioning that @IABABOXING should be shamed

— John Joe Nevin (@johnJoeNevin) October 19, 2015

Admitting that the decision has hurt him, he said: “it’s like a death in the family – to leave that behind it’s a difficult space, but I’ve thought very, very deep about this and I’ve cried many a night. I’ve cried this morning.

“When you’ve pressed the button on the computer and sent it away – I know I’ll cry for many days to come but I made my decision.”

Asked if he might change his mind, he responded: “Well I’ve resigned – so if you resign, you resign.”

Asked again if there was any possibility to get him back, he said: “I don’t think so.”

The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) said in a statement this evening that it has accepted “with regret” the resignation of Billy Walsh as head coach of the High Performance Unit.

Fergal Carruth, CEO of the IABA, 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.”

Decent silverware. USA Boxing have bagged a winner #BillyWalsh pic.twitter.com/8f3KFW5QZL

— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) October 19, 2015

Expressing gratitude to Walsh for the great service he has given to boxing in Ireland, Fergal Carruth continued: “Billy has been part of a team within the High Performance Unit since its inception in 2003.

“We would like to thank him for the tremendous hard work and dedication he has brought to the role and acknowledge his contribution to the great success of the Unit and its boxers. Along with the other coaching members and support staff of the High Performance Unit, the focus, professionalism and dedication brought by Billy to his role as Head Coach, has enabled the winning structures to be put in place, which has allowed our elite boxers reach their highest potential on the World and Olympic stages.

“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 over the coming days regarding the succession plans for the High Performance Unit.

Minister Ring told MidWest Radio that we was disappointed and surprised by the news.

"I was under no illusions that this deal was done," said Minister.

Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin also expressed disappointment.

"I understand money wasn't the factor," he said.

"I understand, after a very long time, that something approaching a decent remuneration package was put in place.

"But there are other issues, I understand, but ones that I'm not au fait with, I wasn't directly involved myself.

"I just want to express my disappointment that terms couldn't be arrived at that would certainly be to the benefit of Ireland, and sport in Ireland and boxing in Ireland."