Heavyweight champion O’Neill on Billy Walsh: ‘I don’t think he’ll be coming back to us’

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Irish boxer Darren O’Neill says it’s unlikely Billy Walsh will go back on his commitment to train the US Olympic boxing team.

The Ireland head coach announced yesterday that he was leaving the Irish set-up for a job in the US, after talks with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association on his future broke down.

Irish Sports Council CEO, John Treacy, has said the negotiations floundered on non-financial aspects and Walsh’s departure is a ridiculous situation to be in.

Current National Heavyweight champion, Darren O’Neill, says there’s no way Billy Walsh wanted to leave, but he won’t be coming back.

“He’s that kind of person that I don’t think he’s going to turn his back on something that he’s committed to now,” O’Neill said today.

“Billy does not want to leave Ireland, it’s as simple as that. He’s a proud Irishman, I’ve known him all my life in boxing. He loves Irish boxing; he loves working with the Irish and trying to get us from fifth in the Olympics to number one.

“He had a great chance this time round, but I don’t think he’ll be coming back to us.”

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