Billy Walsh competed in the men’s welterweight boxing at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, suffering a heartbreaking defeat in his first bout when a cut eye led to the referee stopping the contest against the local Korean favourite Kyung-sup Song.

From Co. Wexford, Walsh had been involved in boxing since he was seven years old. His 300-fight catalogue included four senior titles, two at light-welterweight (1983 and 1984) and two at welterweight (1987 and 1988), and 36 senior international appearances. He had fought in the European Championships in 1985 and 1987.

After retiring from boxing he became one of the most influential coaches in Irish amateur boxing history, his greatest achievement being the coaching of the extraordinary Irish boxing team that won medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympics and beyond, as well as multiple World and European Championship medals.