Boxing: Ireland coach Billy Walsh mulling over offer from America
Sport

Boxing: Ireland coach Billy Walsh mulling over offer from America

IRISH amateur boxing coach Billy Walsh admits he has been tempted by an offer to go and work for Team USA.

According to the Irish Sun, the Wexford native – who has worked with the likes of Jason Quigley, Katie Taylor and Michael Reilly – has had a salary offer in the region of €130,000 from America.

Walsh believes he can turn the “sleeping giant” into a force again by implementing the sort of structure that saw Ireland come third in the boxing medal table at the European Games in June.

Only hosts Azerbaijan and the ever-consistent Russia claimed more medals in Baku, but Walsh suggests the chance of a new challenge is of appeal, even though he’s uncertain about the offer.

He said: "My head was turned but I’m an Irishman and my family are here. But there are big challenges out there and the one I’d really like to have a go at is America.

“How come they aren’t winning everything? They’ve 250 million people and they don’t have talent?

“They just don’t have any system. They throw up an odd jingler now and again but, by God, there’s a sleeping giant, they should be the best nation in the world.”