Medals should not paper over boxing’s cracks

Not for the first time this year, it was the shadow hanging over boxing the sport more than Kellie Harrington the Olympic champion that took centre stage on Monday.

Harrington, who missed a trip to Istanbul earlier this month for the World Championships because of a niggling injury, said she hoped the recent success of two women’s world championship gold medals and two men’s European medals would “not paper over the cracks” in boxing.

As a result of unresolved governance issues in the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA), several people have left, including high performance director Bernard Dunne, who resigned earlier this month.

“I hope that doesn’t paper over the cracks with how well everyone is doing at the moment,” said Harrington referring to the gold medals of Lisa O’Rourke and Amy Broadhurst. “I hope it doesn’t paper the cracks. It’s basically the same shit, different day.”

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Two weeks ago Minster for Sport Jack Chambers threatened boxing with “immediate and severe financial consequences” if they didn’t significantly reform the organisation. It followed Dunne’s resignation and the complaint he lodged with IABA CEO Fergal Carruth in November over the unsigned document calling for his immediate resignation, which was circulated at board level before a successful Tokyo Olympic Games.

“That won’t be a great thing going forward,” said Harrington of the threat to funding. “I’m hoping it’s not going to get to that stage. I’m hoping the Government, or someone is going to step in and take control of it.

“It wouldn’t just be a sad day for Irish boxing, it’d be a very sad day for Irish sport if that has to happen. Look, we have what, 18 Olympic medals. That’d be a big mistake, a very big mistake. So, I’m hoping it doesn’t happen and it can be sorted out.”

Harrington and the rest of the Irish team have a number of competitions taking place over the next 12 months. The women’s European Championships take place in October this year, where Ireland, given the recent form, will be targeting at least three medals.

Next year the Olympic qualifiers take place, probably the most important event as it sets up the boxers for a run into Paris 2024.

“From my side and knowing there is no one in Bernard’s [Dunne’s] position . . . like we need someone there. It does look like everything is all right but it’s not,” explained Harrington. “It does need to be addressed once and for all. This is something that happens all the time. Look at before Rio we lost Billy [Walsh] and then . . .

“Bernard had a tough job because when he came in he was coming in on the back of Rio and then Covid hit. So, to come back with a gold medal and a bronze medal on the back of Rio and Covid, I mean that just says a lot about the position. I’d love to have Bernard back.

“Yeah, yeah I’ve spoken to him and I’ve said it to him,” added Harrington, who was speaking as a Sports Ambassador for Dublin City Council. “I’ve also said to Bernard `look at the end of the day your health is your wealth. Know what I mean. You got to look after yourself’.

“There is only so much a person can take before they . . . there’s a fine line in everybody’s head. Once you cross that line then that’s it. I have said to him ‘Bernard you do what’s right for you, but we miss you terribly. We’d love you to come back.’”

Harrington hopes to be back sparring in July. She hopes to have at least seven more bouts before the end of the year.