Irish boxing's head coach Zaur Antia has aired his deep admiration for Bernard Dunne, his belief that Joe Ward will realise his Olympic dream and his dream of one day training "legend" Katie Taylor again.
The Georgian took over the job from Billy Walsh two years ago, following painful split and subsequent move to Team USA.
Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and Canada all cast admiring glances his way but Antia underlined his commitment to Ireland last December by penning a five-year deal to stay on as head coach.
Twelve months after Rio, with the likes of Michael Conlan, Paddy Barnes and Taylor departed to the paid ranks, Antia eased any fears of a continued exodus and stressed his belief that the Irish structure is in better shape than ever.
Westmeath southpaw Joe Ward had been attracting the attention of pro promoters since winning his third European Elite light-heavy gold in the Ukraine in June but he committed to the amateur game for Tokyo 2020, before winning silver at September's World Championships.
"I have big confidence about Ireland; about Irish people, Irish spirit. We will achieve more than we achieved before," he told RTÉ Sport at the HPX Conference at the National Sports Campus in Dublin.
"We're on the right path now. We have to continue with big support from the government and everything will be good.
"The whole federation, they will try the maximum for our boxers to make them happy in amateur boxing. The best professional boxers were always the best amateur boxers. Katie Taylor was the best amateur boxer; Jason Quigley was the best amateur boxer.
"Joe Ward, I'm sure he will beat that boy (Cuban Julio La Cruz, who also defeated Ward in the 2015 Worlds final) i the next time he meets him. He's only 23 years old. He now understands everything. I'm very confident about him. He will go (pro) after he becomes an Olympic gold medallist."
"An Irish boxer will never leave amateur boxer again until he becomes an Olympic gold medallist - that is my hope."
Antia and Billy Walsh were part of a dream team that delivered incredible success for Ireland.
Walsh's move to America has gone exceptionally well - the USA took three medals from Brazil last summer and Walsh was named the Boxing Association (AIBA) world coach of the year - but Antia is philosophical about the pair's paths diverging.
"Billy is in America and having great achievements," he said. "At one time we were a great team. We worked very well beside each other, but times change, everything happens in life.
"I was the head coach of the Georgia team and I had great achievements there. I came here, I worked with people, I'm still working with people. Without challenges you won't achieve anything."
On Taylor, currently beating down a path in the paid ranks, Antia was fulsome in his praise.
The 2012 London gold medalist will fight two-weight world champion Anahi Sanchez for the WBA world lightweight crown on 28 October at the Principality Stadium, having taken the paid ranks by storm.
Antia hasn't been surprised by her devastating impact, admitting: "I really want, if I had the chance and it was possible, to train her again.
"I'm so confident about her. She will die in the ring to achieve her goals. She's in my heart forever. She's a legend and I'm very proud of her.
"I saw a few fights. She has more power in her punching. Katie is Katie. And Katie will achieve, I'm sure."
