Billy Walsh unhappy with Adam Nolan defeat
By Bernard O’Neill – IABA Press Officer
Irish head coach Billy Walsh admitted that he was stuck for words immediately after Adam Nolan was adjudged to have lost to current European Elite welter champion Eimantas Stanionis at the World Elite Championships in Doha, Qatar this evening.
Stanionis was handed a split decision after three close rounds with the Wexford southpaw.
“I’m still stuck for words and that’s not usually the case, I don’t know how he lost,” said Walsh.
“Work rate, aggression, punching. All the criteria, Adam had it. He had all those pieces today. I’m bewildered at how his opponent won the first round in particular.”
“It’s difficult to understand and hard to take. Adam can be very proud of his performance. We ask our boxers to leave everything in there and that is what he did.”
..
The Irish chief seconds, who is working Ireland’s corner with Zaur Antia and Eddie Bolger, also hailed Sean McComb’s display.
The Belfast southpaw beat Mexican lightweight Lindolfo Garcia-Delgado to advance to the last 16.
“He wasn’t your typical Mexican fighter in that he was a skilful counter-puncher. It was a tricky one, lots of feints,” added Walsh.
“Sean brought a lot of intensity. He worked hard and it was a very good performance. We have another busy day tomorrow with three in action.”
“Brendan is in against a very good Turk and Michael meets an Australian guy who was with us in training camp in Belfast.”
“Michael (Conlan) has a tough one. His Brazilian opponent has been to two Olympics.”
AIBA World Elite Championships
(Afternoon and Evening session begin at 12pm and 5pm (Irish time)
October 6th (last 32)
49kg Brendan Irvine (Ireland) beat Nico Hernandez (USA) 3-0
64kg Dean Walsh (Ireland) lost to Luis Dian Arcon (Venezuela) 1-2
75kg Michael O’Reilly (Ireland) beat Valerii Kharlamov (Ukraine) 3-0
October (7th) (Last 32)
60kg Sean McComb (Ireland) beat Lindolfo Garcia Delgado (Mexico) 3-0
69kg Adam Nolan (Ireland) lost to Eimantas Stanionis (Lithuania) 1-2
October 8th (last 16)
49kg Brendan Irvine (Ireland) v Muhammet Unlu (Turkey) (E)
56kg Michael Conlan (Ireland) v Robenilson de Jesus (Brazil) (E)
75kg Michael O’Reilly (Ireland) v Daniel Lewis (Australia) (E)
October 9th (last 16)
60kg Sean McComb (Ireland) v Albert Selimov (Azerbaijan) (E)
81kg Joe Ward (Ireland) v Oleksandr Kyyzhniak (Ukraine) (A)
(A and E = Afternoon or Evening session)
Irish Squad
49kg Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s)
56kg Michael Conlan (Clonard) captain
60kg Sean McComb (Holy Trinity)
64kg Dean Walsh (St Joesphs/St Ibars)
69kg Adam Nolan (Bray)
75kg Michael O’Reilly (Portlaoise)
81kg Joe Ward (AIBA Pro Boxing)
Team Manager: Joe Hennigan
Coaches: Billy Walsh, Zaur Antia, Eddie Bolger
Physiotherapist: Conor McCarthy
Sports Psychologist: Gerry Hussey
Doctor: Jim Clover
Performance Analyst: Alan Swanton
