The introduction of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) and the Pro Boxing circuit (APB) - both governed by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) - means traditional qualification routes for Olympic Games, such as through the AIBA World Championships, are being squeezed.

Only gold and silver medallists at next year's Championships in Doha are likely to secure an automatic spot at Rio 2016.

The APB and WSB allow athletes to compete on a professional basis while also remaining eligible to compete at the Olympic Games, and fighters will have the opportunity to qualify for the Games through their performances on both circuits.

With no WSB franchise in Ireland, Walsh believes they are in danger of losing their top fighters permanently to the professional ranks, a process which has already started with the announcement from Olympic silver medallist and reigning European champion John Joe Nevin last October that he was turning professional.

John Joe Nevin turned to professional boxing last year just months after becoming European champion ©AFP/Getty Images



"It's [qualification for Rio 2016] going to be tough," Walsh told the Irish Examiner.

"From Athens [2004] on, it's got more difficult.

"Some of the spots now are going to APB and WSB so there's less spots available.

"The problem is that we don't have a franchise for WSB so we're at the mercy of another country.

"If they're running a WSB programme, they'll want to get their own lads qualified; we want to get an Irish lad qualified.

"We have had some lads doing very well in WSB at times but our own franchise would be key.

"We don't have one.

"It would probably take a couple of million [Euros] to run one and I can't see anyone coming up with that kind of money to support that."

Paddy Barnes, a bronze medallist at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, is also believed to be considering a switch to the professional game, as is rising star Jason Quigley, courted by promoters following an impressive 2013, which saw the middleweight become European champion and create history at the World Championships in Almaty by becoming the first Irishman to claim a silver medal.

World Championship silver medallist Jason Quigley (left) is attracting a lot of interest from promoters in the professional game ©AFP/Getty Images



The Donegal native has still not decided whether to join the professional ranks and with the Irish National Championships due to get underway next month, Walsh hopes the 22-year-old will be swayed by the prospect of an appearance at Rio 2016.

"As far as I know, he's [Quigley] training for the Nationals," said Walsh.

"I haven't heard otherwise.

"There's supposed to be some offers on the table.

"He has to look at it and weigh it up: does he want to go to the Olympic Games?

"If he doesn't, well, you know ... anyone who's really interested in him will wait for two years.

"His value will increase having been at a Games.

"And the profile ... he will do a lot of profile and marketing out of the Games if he does well at it."

Boxing is Ireland's most successful Olympic sport, producing 16 medals, and Walsh oversaw Ireland's most successful boxing medal haul at London 2012.

There, Nevin's silver medal was added to by bronze for Barnes and Michael Conlan, while Katie Taylor memorably clinched gold in the ExCel Centre.

That success has led to an increase in funding for the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA), which was awarded €840,000 (£690,000/$115,000) for 2014 from the Irish Sports Council (ISC), an increase of €30,000 (£25,000/$41,000) on last year.

The success of Irish boxers at London 2012, including gold medal winner Katie Taylor, has contributed to a rise in funding for the IABA ©AFP/Getty Images



Despite the threat of losing some of his top fighters, Walsh remains optimistic about Ireland's prospects at Rio 2016 and is targeting a higher finish than London 2012, where they finished fifth on the medals table.

"We are still punching forward," he said.

"There is still some talent coming through in the next year or two.

"We'll continue to look at our own programme [and] improve the system to be in a good position to challenge for that number one spot."

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