Ready to Fly – Walsh Dee-lighted with future Belfast star attraction Quinn
Conor Quinn is more than the next big Belfast little man, he can become the mayor of the Irish boxing capital predicts Dee Walsh.
The back-to-back Irish Coach of the Year has been extremely impressed with how magnificent ‘The Magnificent’ has been since they teamed up upon Quinn’s return from Australia – and feels his recent BBBofC Celtic and Commonwealth silver title wins will put him on the path toward stardom.
The former Irish champion says the 25-year-old has been handed the little man baton and will be the city’s next soaring flyweight.
Indeed, the St John Bosco-aligned coach predicts the Mark Dunlop-mentored puncher will be Belfast boxing’s main man.
“Conor now has been passed the baton for Belfast flyweights and will follow on from greats like Hugh Russell, who just passed away, and many other great wee me. Even more than that, I’ve no doubt Conor is gonna be the man carrying Belfast boxing soon enough,” he tells Irish-boxing.com.
Having won two titles when defeating Chris Liddell earlier this month logical progression for the MHD fighter would be a British title shot.
The Lonsdale belt is currently in possession of Jay Harris, a recent world title challenger who effectively retired Paddy Barnes. A fight against the Welsh man would represent a big step up for Quinn but it’s one Walsh is adamant he is ready for. Indeed, it’s a fight he thinks should be next.
“I would love that fight for Conor and I think at the minute it would be great timing. A fight I think he could win.”
Quinn is in a position to level up significantly because of his seventh-round stoppage over Scotland’s Liddell, reflecting on that win his coach said: “It was a great win for Conor, considering his opponent was very good. He came non-stop punching from the first bell but we all know in the gym what Conor has to offer and how far he can go, so I knew he’d rise to the occasion.”
The victory also added to Walsh’s own title collecting, as well as his undefeated pro coaching record. It’s something he makes sure he enjoys and an occurrence the coach, who was down the National Stadium cornering at the National Senior Championships over the weekend, expects will continue
“It’s a great feeling year after year adding more and more belts to the team. It’s very satisfying. I know it’s only the beginning as well with the fighters I have and the kids coming through. I’m also sure within the next couple of years there will be new faces about the gym who will also be picking up titles.”
