USA Boxing has heralded the arrival of Billy Walsh as he takes over as coach of US women's team.
Wexford man Walsh, who recently left his position as Irish boxing head coach with the IABA amid much controversy, will oversee USA Boxing’s female athletes as they prepare for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
USA Boxing, who claims to have one of the strongest women's boxing programmes in the world, welcomed Walsh, calling him "the architect behind the most successful era in Irish boxing".
"It was with great pride that I was part of building the successful Irish programme over the past several years and I hope to do the same with USA Boxing" - Billy Walsh
Walsh joins the USA team after leading Irish boxers to more than 50 medals in the European and World Championships, in addition to seven medals in the last two Olympic Games.
USA Boxing executive director Mike Martino said: "Coach Walsh brings extensive experience and knowledge with a proven record of success on the international boxing stage.
"He provides great leadership and stability for our female athletes, particularly the resident boxers at the Olympic Training Center.
“His commitment to Olympic-style boxing is evident in the impact he's had on the Irish boxing programmes."
Walsh, himself a 1988 Olympian, added: "It is a huge honour for me as a coach to receive the opportunity to work with such an iconic boxing nation as the United States. It was with great pride that I was part of building the successful Irish programme over the past several years and I hope to do the same with USA Boxing.
"I am greatly looking forward to the opportunities ahead in bringing my expertise and experience to the United States women's team as they prepare for success in Rio and beyond."
With Walsh at the helm, Ireland placed fourth in the overall medal standings at the Elite Men's World Championships earlier this month, winning three medals, including a gold medal in the bantamweight division.
Walsh is currently in Memphis for the Olympic trials for women's boxing and will relocate to Colorado Springs in mid-November.
