The resignation of Billy Walsh has prompted different responses from Ireland's boxers, past and present.
John Joe Nevin expressed simple shock and outrage, declaring Billy the best coach he had ever worked with and saying the IABA should be ashamed.
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
A more diplomatic Katie Taylor expressed sadness at the prospect of Billy in a different corner at the Olympics in Rio.
I'm very saddened by the news.
I genuinely thought it would be resolved. He was so important to me early in my career. I'm shocked to think he could be in the opposite corner in Rio.
1992 Olympic gold medallist Michael Carruth defended the stance of the IABA, whose CEO is his brother Fergal, saying that he was sure the organisation had done all they could to retain Billy.
Likewise, Bernard Dunne was not inclined to pummel the IABA. Speaking on Second Captains Dunne said he was wary of giving anyone 'complete power'.
I think there's only so much you can give to a person to convince them to take a job or stay in a job. You can also not be held to ransom. And I'm not privy to the final details of negotiations so were all going on hearsay.
It's a tough one to call. Do you give someone complete power? I'm not sure about the friction that was there between Billy and association. He was a great leader and he had a great rapport with the boxers... But the fact of the matter is he's gone.
Paddy Barnes was also relatively sanguine about the turn of events, lamenting the loss of Billy, but quickly stressing that it was imperative that Irish boxing retain Zaur Antia, who he described as 'the best technical coach you could ever see'.
I’m not surprised or shocked. I just feel nothing – I’m not cold or anything.
If someone wants to move somewhere for more money or a better life, you have to applaud them and say fair play for taking the step.
