The IABA has claimed that it did everything "within reason" to retain the services of Billy Walsh as Irish boxing head coach.
Walsh resigned on Monday after failing to agree terms with the IABA and will now take up a position as head coach with the USA Women's Boxing team.
Speaking today, IABA chairman Joe Christle claimed the organisation was unaware of the reasoning that led to Walsh resigning. He said that terms had been agreed, but negotiations between the two parties had subsequently broken down.
According to Christle, the agreed package included arrangements for the selection of all boxing teams to represent Ireland, as well as bonus structures. The chairman stated that all team selection was under Walsh’s control, but subject to the ratification by the Central Council.
Laying out the sequence of events that led to this week's shock announcement, Christle detailed interventions by both Minister of State for Transport, Tourism and Sport Michael Ring and Sport Ireland in efforts to find an agreement. He said contracts were issued in mid-September and a series of amendments were subsequently proposed by Walsh. The IABA claims the next contact it had was the notification of the resignation on 19 October.
"This was hugely surprising and disappointing news to the IABA. Billy’s resignation letter and public announcement were so definite that the organisation, again in the interests of Irish boxing as a whole, had no choice but to accept that resignation, with regret."
The IABA insisted its actions were in the best interests of Irish boxing.
"The IABA never sought to remove Billy from his post as head coach or to change the terms of his employment. In the interests of Irish boxing, we at no stage wanted Billy to leave his position ... This is about what is in the best interests of Irish boxing and its continued success at all levels."
IABA slams 'derogatory comments' by Sport Ireland
The organisation also hit out at the response of Sport Ireland to the controversy, saying the IABA was shocked by what it said was "the very public attack" on Irish boxing.
"This was plainly part of a campaign by a statutory state body to exercise control over the IABA’s High Performance Unit... This, we believe is yet another clear example of Sport Ireland’s officials seeking to go beyond their authority and its statutory mandate."
The IABA backed its CEO Fergal Carruth and asked Sport Ireland to withdraw all "derogatory comments" claiming that it is not governed effectively, either at a financial or managerial level.
"The financial accounts of the organisation are fully audited and the IABA rejects in the strongest possible terms the unsubstantiated inferences by Sport Ireland.
“We hereby call upon the chairman and CEO of Sport Ireland to unreservedly withdraw the derogatory comments and unsubstantiated allegations made by them against our CEO. We will vigorously defend the disgraceful allegations made by Sport Ireland, both directly in our future interactions with the agency, and reserve the right to take whatever further action we deem appropriate.”
The IABA suggested that Sport Ireland had "ulterior motives" and did not have the best interests of Irish boxing at heart, claiming that it had "issued threats to funding Irish boxing that are fundamentally illegal and beyond its authority.
"This is a defence of Irish boxing against claims by individuals who have absolutely no experience, knowledge or credibility in this sport."
Sport Ireland chairman Kieran Mulvey and chief executive John Treacy have both suggested that boxing’s beleaguered governing body could face a major funding review in the wake of the Walsh controversy, but there may not be the political will for that, with Mr Ring telling Newstalk on Wednesday: “I can assure them that will not happen. I will not allow the grass roots of the sport to be affected in any way.”
Sport Ireland later responded to the IABA statement, saying it contained "very little new information" and promising to provide a comprehensive statement on the issue to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on Wednesday.
The statement said: "Sport Ireland has noted the statement made today by the IABA regarding the recent resignation of Billy Walsh as Head Coach. Unfortunately there was very little new information contained within it and it remains unclear what transpired in the weeks before Billy Walsh’s resignation.
"Sport Ireland has been invited to attended the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on Wednesday 28 October. This is the appropriate forum for Sport Ireland, as the custodian of taxpayers money, to provide a comprehensive statement to all matters arising.
"On 21 October Sport Ireland wrote to the IABA seeking answers to certain specific and relevant questions. It would be very useful if those responses were provided in advance of the Oireachtas Committee meeting."
Minister calls for 'cool heads'
Mr Ring released a statement on Friday afternoon calling for “cool heads” in the dispute between the bickering factions.
“All involved here are sorry to see Billy leave for the US, and while this situation has caused passions to run high, now is the time to redirect that passion in the interest of the future of the sport,” the statement read.
“We must focus our efforts on the week and months ahead and on how we can best support our athletes as they prepare for the Olympic Games in Rio next year.
“Nobody wanted Billy to leave, but he is gone now and it is time for us to regroup and all work together. We can only do that if everyone takes a deep breath and cools down.
“There has been a lot of intense discussion over the last few days, primarily due to the love people have for the sport and their interest in its future.
“I am aware that Sport Ireland and the IABA have both put their positions on the record in recent days about what has happened. For the sake of Irish boxing, at all levels, I believe that everyone should now focus on what’s ahead and what is best for our athletes. Adding fuel to the fire by continuing the discussion over the airwaves is not helpful at this point.
“I propose to sit down with Sport Ireland and the IABA as soon as possible, with a view to moving forward in a spirit of cooperation. I am happy to make myself available to both sides and to listen to what they have to say. Boxers and coaches at all levels need to set this distraction behind them as we head into 2016 and the Rio Games.”
Meanwhile, the IABA has appointed Zaur Antia as head coach on an interim basis and a process will soon begin to appoint a full-time successor to Walsh.
