Introducing: Paddy Walsh
Paddy Walsh won’t be a name Irish fight followers are over-familiar with but is someone some of Ireland’s more well-known prospects know all too well.
The Kerry light welter was a nearly man of underage boxing and only had his path to titles blocked by some of the country’s most decorated young talents.
Underage European medal winners turned pro prospects Steven Cairns and Callum Walsh beat him at national level – as did Brandon McCarthy, the Olympic hopeful who never lost an underage national tournament fight.
He enters the pro ranks this coming weekend, punching for pay for the first time on the ‘The Return’ card, confident he can finally have a big night at the National Stadium.
Indeed, Walsh is all in on the pro game and is determined to transition from the kid that pushed top talents close to becoming a named talent in his own right.
“There wasn’t an Irish standout that I didn’t box over the years,” he tells Irish-boxing.com.
“I never really pulled through with many Irish titles but won many area titles. I always seemed to meet some outstanding amateurs in the finals.”
With that in mind he points out he has the experience and proven talent and it’s just about proving as much to the wider watching public starting from Saturday.
“Experience isn’t the issue at all but it’s now time to get the ring rust off Saturday night with a classy performance and show everyone what I have been working on for the last eight weeks.”
The older brother of nigh-on battle-hardened 20-year-old Liam Walsh has ring rust that needs oiling because of a sabbatical.
However, he is back now, fully invested and determined to make an impression.
“I took a year or two away from boxing but was always in and out of the gym. I did lose the bug for it but I came back in the new year full-time and got the love for it again. I am now fully dedicated to the sport and never miss a day. I have the best team around me and the only way is up from here.”
Part of Team Walsh, who is trained by veteran coach Tony Davitt, is his father who promotes the Elite Sheer show on the South Circular road alongside Jason Quigley and the people of Sheer Sports.
Barred Spars.
— Irish-Boxing.com (@Irishboxingcom) March 2, 2023
The Walsh brothers tell us why they are barred from sparring each other!
What Irish siblings past or present would you love to watch spar? #TheReturn @elitesportpromo pic.twitter.com/XIFpRTnFvq
Another of his brothers is part of the marketing team and his younger sibling Liam boxes on the same Quigley topped card, making it something of a family affair.
However, Walsh was keen to make it clear that, while boxing might be the family business, Elite-Sheer was established for the wider boxing family.
“We are all involved with the shows as a family and you could say it’s a business yes, but my dad didn’t start this business up for me and Liam, he started it for every single Irish boxer in the country. I know he wants to give everyone great opportunities. It’s only warming up it will be the start of something special that’s for sure.”
Explaining what type of style fans can expect from him the 21-year-old adds: “I believe I have a very good eye for boxing, I can read things well and like to be classy with my performances. Depending on the type of fight I can mix it up and like to have a row every now and then.”
