IABA to break silence over Billy Walsh

Another shameful day in the long and hitherto mainly glorious 104 years history of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association as yet again IABA Chief Executive Fergal Carruth and his Board of Directors failed to respond to the ever growing numbers of requests for explanations – and interviews – following the “almost certain” loss of High Performance Unit Head Coach Billy Walsh to USA Boxing.

It said the situation in hospitals around the country has never been as bad, in terms of overcrowding and waiting lists.

“The organisation was greatly relieved and heartened to hear the comments of Minister’s Donoghue and Ring who have stated that there will be no reduction in the funding of Irish boxing arising out of the resignation of Billy Walsh”. The next communication the IABA received was the resignation on 19 October. These are key stakeholders that I need to deal with on a regular basis due to the nature of my role and the work of the programme.

Wexford man Walsh stepped down from the Ireland role last Monday and is now set to accept a role with the United States women’s boxing team.

“24.2 No public statements either by way of TV, Radio, Newspapers or Social Media must be made without the prior written approval of the CEO”. In the interests of Irish boxing, the IABA attendees expressed their concerns with the draft proposal.

“I’m effectively saying when the new funding round for 2016 comes up we will have to review our relationship with the IABA”.

Contrary to what the IABA insisted this week it seems the two parties could find common ground on financial issues, but on most everything else they were poles apart.

“The IABA could not have been shocked or surprised that I resigned given their disrespectful response and blatant disregard for my required changes to the proposed contract”.

They say a week is a long time in politics – sport is no different and the Irish boxing scene is facing a dramatic seven days ahead with an Irish Sports Council vs IABA “battle royal” topping the bill.

“I firmly believe that they had no intention or desire to engage me into the future”.

However the statement did not explain why they had stayed silent during the week as the controversy raged. “I was left with no alternative but to resign”.

“I was given absolutely no autonomy in the new contract and this was clearly aimed to undermine my position and would have made my job extremely hard to do if not impossible to do”.