“We both shook hands and wished each other the best of luck” – Walsh reveals that Moylette feud is over

One of the biggest sagas in Irish boxing these past few years has been the rivalry between Wexford’s Dean Walsh and Mayo’s Ray Moylette.

The pair clashed in both National Elite Senior Finals at either end of 2015, with Walsh emerging a split decision winner both times in what were razor-close bad-blooded affairs.

The two light welters were then pitted against each other at a training camp in Azerbaijan earlier this year, with selection for the AOB World Olympic qualifier up for grabs. After over a week of observation, Walsh would be chosen by the trio of coaches Zaur Antia, John Conlan, and Eddie Bolger, in what was again believed to be a split decision.

The pair share a visible dislike of each other, and both have at times aimed cutting remarks at the other throughout the rivalry, while there has also been plenty of heated online debate between their two massive fanbases – but this now looks to be at an end

With neither qualifying for the Rio Olympics through their respective routes, Moylette has expressed his intention to go pro. Walsh, who is four years the younger at 22, is sticking around and targeting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. With their paths diverging, Walsh explains that the hatchet has been effectively buried between the two.

The St Ibar’s/St Joseph’s man told Irish-Boxing.com that “we had no choice [but to bury the hatchet]. He turned pro and I’m still around till at least Tokyo.”

“We don’t get on the best now, but after I got picked over him to go in June [World AOB Olympic qualifier], we both shook hands and wished each other the best of luck.”

“I wish him every success in the pro game.”

Following three National titles on the bounce, European bronze medalist Walsh will enter the 2017 Elites as the top dog, but he is expecting plenty of challengers. The Wexford fighter described how “Sean McComb and Wayne Kelly will be thereabouts. Both two great boxers that are southpaws, so it would be a game of chess with them lads. There’s also some young guys breaking through, so I’ll have to be on my game.”