Katie Taylor has spoken about the departure of Billy Walsh from Irish boxing for the first time, saying she is very saddened by the news.

The thought that she could see Billy Walsh in an opponents corner in RIO 2016 has shocked Ireland Boxing legend Katie Taylor.

Speaking at an Electric Ireland event this week the Olympic Gold medal winner discussed Walsh’s controversial departure from the High Performance Unit.

The greatest female fighter on the planet and Ireland’s most decorated amateur fighter claims the recently departed  Head Coach was instrumental in her development.

The Wexford man, who Micheal Carruth defeated to in a box off to secure a spot on the plane to the Barcelona Olympics, will now take over as coach of the USA Women’s Olympic boxing team and Taylor admits she is shocked Walsh could be coaching a potential RIO opponent.

“I’m very saddened by the news,” Taylor said.

“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,” Taylor said.