BILLY WALSH’S INFLUENCE on US boxing is already being felt.
With Walsh in his corner, Nico Hernandez secured the US men’s first boxing medal since 2008 and their first flyweight medal in 28 years.
The coach previously left his role in Irish boxing in acrimonious fashion, after a disagreement with the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA).
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Moreover, a piece just published in Sports Illustrated has highlighted Walsh’s positive influence on the American team, just months after taking up the role.
We did an international search,” Michael Martino, executive director of USA Boxing, is quoted as saying. “And Billy Walsh was highly recommended. He had the experience, the temperament and the contacts and relationships throughout international amateur boxing.
“I think we hit a homerun with Billy.”
The article also details how Walsh was less than impressed with the Olympic Training Centre in Colorado and pushed for change.
The OTC itself was beautiful,” Walsh says. “But the gym wasn’t really world-class. It was just one ring in it and six bags. Like a guy would have out in his back yard, in the shed.”
Walsh’s belief in the importance of coaching and education is also stressed.
“You teach one boxer, you teach one boxer. You teach one coach, you teach a hundred boxers. We need a better education system around the country.
“It’s skills and techniques that focus on hitting and not getting hit. Defence and counter attack. It’s common sense for me: If you marry that focus on technique with the talent that’s in the United States you will have success.”
'I think we hit a homerun with Billy' - Walsh's influence already felt in US boxing
BILLY WALSH’S INFLUENCE on US boxing is already being felt.
With Walsh in his corner, Nico Hernandez secured the US men’s first boxing medal since 2008 and their first flyweight medal in 28 years.
The coach previously left his role in Irish boxing in acrimonious fashion, after a disagreement with the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA).
Moreover, a piece just published in Sports Illustrated has highlighted Walsh’s positive influence on the American team, just months after taking up the role.
“I think we hit a homerun with Billy.”
The article also details how Walsh was less than impressed with the Olympic Training Centre in Colorado and pushed for change.
Walsh’s belief in the importance of coaching and education is also stressed.
“You teach one boxer, you teach one boxer. You teach one coach, you teach a hundred boxers. We need a better education system around the country.
“It’s skills and techniques that focus on hitting and not getting hit. Defence and counter attack. It’s common sense for me: If you marry that focus on technique with the talent that’s in the United States you will have success.”
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Billy Walsh IABA making a difference Michael Martino Nico Hernandez team ireland US boxing