Olympic Boxer Michaelโ Walsh โคAnnouncesโ Retirement, Cites Family & Community as Coreโ of Success
BELFAST, Northern โIreland – Olympic โฃbronze medalist Michael Walsh has announced his retirement from competitive boxing, โbringing an end to a distinguished career built on dedication, mentorship, โฃand a deep connection to hisโค family and teh Belfastโฃ boxing community. Walsh, speaking publiclyโฃ about his decision, emphasized the enduring value of relationships forged throughout his sportingโข journey, stating he’ll treasureโ those connections โข”more than โขthe โฃmedals.”
Walsh’s decision comes as he prepares toโ collaborate with โขDr. Paul Gaffney on a book detailing their work supporting young athletes, with plans to pen his own memoir following its completion. He envisions sharing personal experiences and stories aimed at inspiring both aspiringโ and elite athletes.
Throughout his โฃcareer,Walsh consistently acknowledged the pivotal role โฃof the Belfast boxing scene in his development. He specifically lauded clubs like Holy Familyโค and Holy Trinity,โข recognizing the contributions of veteran coachesโ such as Mickey Hawkinsโ and gerry Storey. “Those coaches and those clubs contribute a huge amount to the success of โขIrish โฃOlympic boxing,” Walsh affirmed. “There’s a number ofโข clubs โขwithinโ Belfast who do such a good job and really โขinfluence athletes fromโค grassroots rightโ up to elite level performance.”
Beyond the accolades and achievements, Walsh repeatedly highlighted the importance of the โฃpeople who supported him. Heโ expressed gratitude towards sport ireland, theโฃ Olympic Federation of Ireland, Sport NI, and the Irish Amateur boxing Association for their support. “Above all, regardless of medal success โขor any type ofโค achievement, I think it’s the relationships that โI’ve made that reallyโ mean the most and are what I’ve come toโค appreciate โขmore than theโ medals,” he said, adding he felt “very lucky” and “blessed” to have had strong support throughout his career.
Walsh anticipatesโ continuing these relationships in the years to come,โ viewing them as theโ most valuable legacy of his time in the sport.