Ireland’s Olympic Silver Medallist announced his decision ( December 19th) on RTE’s Pat Kenny’s programme.
He said “I’m in great shape and hope to lead a big boxing squad to the London Games. When I started out in this game, when I first put on a pair of gloves, it was because I loved amateur boxing and I just wanted to qualify for the Olympics. I achieved that and then I won my medal and I thought, great.
“I have adapted to the amateur game perfectly and I know it inside out. I’ve learned so much about it, particularly over the last five years or so, and I owe that to my coaches, Billy Walsh and Zaur Antia, without them I wouldn’t be here today.
“I’ve made my decision and I’m sticking by it 100%. Hopefully, I can remain senior champion for the next four years, but I know it’s going to be tough. As Billy said, there are young lads there coming up through the ranks who are going to be nipping at my heels, but it’s up to me to put the hard work in and keep ahead of them.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into the ring as an amateur, with the headguard and the Irish singlet and being part of the Irish team — I don’t know who’s going to be on it in four years time, but hopefully I’ll still be part of it — that’s the chance I’m prepared to take.” “
