So the laborious work started yet again.
A lover of Chinese language meals, Walsh needed to construct his approach again into bodily form for the primary World Qualification Match in Italy in Could.
“I do not learn about giving these Chinese language meals up,” he laughs. “I used to be nonetheless consuming them.
“I at all times stored myself in fine condition, although I did not practice. I misplaced a whole lot of muscle. That was in all probability the toughest – constructing that again up.
“It wasn’t too lengthy earlier than I bought again to myself and located myself within the ring once more.”
Walsh misplaced within the second spherical of the primary qualifier, which meant he had one remaining alternative in Bangkok in June.
Within the last-chance saloon, Walsh would face six bouts in eight days.
And with one place remaining, he used his expertise to clinch a split-decision win.
“I believe Bangkok was in all probability the hardest expertise in my boxing profession however, wanting again, it could be my proudest second in sport – to have the ability to come again and to have the ability to compete back-to-back in six fights in eight days,” he says.
“That’s one thing that took a whole lot of psychological power. It took a whole lot of resilience.”
Walsh is now making ready for a second Olympic Video games – one {that a} yr in the past wasn’t on his radar.
“Paris is a bonus,” he says. “My purpose was at all times to be an Olympian. I achieved that.
“My purpose was to be an Olympic medallist and get my identify within the historical past books of the boxing greats from Eire. I’ve completed that.
“To be a two-time Olympian with my sister, I’ve completed that. So the rest is a bonus.”
