Harrington to sit out World Boxing Cup in Brazil

Irish boxing's interim high performance head coach Damian Kennedy says the upcoming World Boxing Cup in Brazil "isn't the competition" for two-time Olympic lightweight gold medallist Kellie Harrington who came out of retirement last year.

Ireland have selected an 11-strong team for the competition that runs from 20-27 April in Foz do Iguacu before China hosts the second leg in June, culminating in the finals which take place in Uzbekistan at the end of the year.

Of that team, there are six who have Olympic Games experience, but Harrington, who won last year's Odivelas Box Cup in Portugal in her first competition since claiming gold in Paris 2024, will sit out the tournament in Brazil which will play a part in the seeding for next year's qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Kennedy confirmed Harrington is still very much in the frame to box internationally, but just not on this occasion.

"We approach all with an individual mindset and Kellie is no different that the rest," Kennedy said.

"She's back, she's boxing and training, but we feel this isn't the competition for Kellie to come back into and she is in agreement.

"Kellie's approach has always been one competition at at time and she wouldn't drift down as far as LA in any conversation.

"It's a one step approach with Kellie from now until the journey finishes."

Kennedy took on the interim job following Zaur Antia's retirement last year and confirmed that he's "really enjoying the role".

Whether he is appointed on a permanent basis remains to be seen but High Performance Director Jon Mackey is happy the County Antrim man has brought "a period of stability" following Antia's retirement.

"We're looking down the barrel of a very busy international calendar and I'm mindful the first Olympic qualifier is a little over 12 months away," Mackey said.

"We need to get Brazil done, then China done before we're into a period of reflection before the Commonwealth Games, but in that period we'll sit down and put a plan together for the recruitment of the Irish High Performance role.

"Damian brings a different style and flavour. He has his own coaching style and philosophy, influenced by Zaur and his own personal experience.

"The athletes are enjoying it as it's something new and fresh."

One of those athletes is two-time Olympian Michaela Walsh who claimed silver at the recent Strandja Tournament in Bulgaria and will box in the featherweight class in Brazil this month.

The 32-year-old Belfast woman feels she is "only coming into my best" after reaching an international podium for the first time since claiming bronze at the 2023 European Games and she is hopeful it won't be such a gap until the next one.

While the LA Games are still over two years away, Walsh is adamant qualifying for a third Olympics is "the main goal".

"I am getting on a bit but I feel like I'm only coming into my best," said the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

"This year I've gone to Strandja and won a silver medal with some of my best performances, so I am showing signs of progression and I'm not ready to finish with the amateur game yet.

"I've already been to Tokyo and Paris, so how I'm feeling is the older I'm getting, the better I'm getting. Ageing like a fine wine, even though I've never tasted wine."