Woodhall quits ABA

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 05 Aug 2005, 05:33

Richie Woodhall has cited irreconcilable differences between himself and the Amateur Boxing Association's head coach Terry Edwards for his decision to step down as the organisation's high performance director after just four months in the post.

The former WBC super-middleweight champion has confirmed his resignation following talks with top ABA officials, and said he now intended to pursue business ventures outside the sport.

Woodhall's appointment had never received universal support given his lack of coaching qualifications, and the 37-year-old conceded that he felt he was fighting a losing battle to get his ideas across.

Woodhall said: "I can no longer work under the conditions I was working under and it was no secret that my relationship with Terry Edwards was very difficult.

"I got on with Terry as I got on with everybody, but I just felt that with the way things were going the ABA needed to change.

"I was prepared to make those changes but others were not so willing, and unless they are going to embrace those changes then I am afraid the ABA will continue to fail."

Woodhall, who does intend to accept a vastly reduced, part-time position as one of a number of new big-name amateur boxing consultants, also said he was not prepared to "play second fiddle" for two years before he attained the required elite coaching qualifications.

The timing of Woodhall's departure will come as a blow to the ABA who were hoping to build on the high levels of publicity afforded their sport following Amir Khan's success, and raised expectations of success at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next March.

Woodhall said that while he had widespread misgivings about the current structure, he backed the ABA's Commonwealth Games target of eight medals.

But he added that it was in November's World Championships in China where the real truth about the state of English amateur boxing would be revealed.

Woodhall said: "Eight medals is a very realistic target because the Commonwealth Games are not in the same league and an English team has just hammered Canada, who are our major rivals.

"I think the Commonwealth Games are going to save a lot of people's bacon because they get major television coverage and lots of people will see it and think everything in the garden is rosy.

"But you watch the World Championships and wait until the next Olympics. Unless things change I cannot see us having any more success in Beijing."

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 05 Aug 2005, 06:20

"[Ricky] Hatton is set to accept a role as one of the Amateur Boxing Association's new part-time consultants.

Triple Olympic gold-medallist Mario Kindelan is also among those who have been approached to assist with regional coaching schemes over the next two years

Richie Woodhall, who resigned on Thursday as the ABA's high performance manager, agreed to assume a consultancy role"

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 05 Aug 2005, 06:45

They had better get it all right for London 2012. I would hope we'd have someone in each division, not just "an Amir Khan" or "an Audley Harrison"...carrying all our hopes.

They've 7 years. They had better sort it.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 05 Aug 2005, 06:51

That's a shame. Woodhall had a lot to offer.

In fact, having someone who hadn't ben through the coaching system would mean that they'd have fresh ideas. At least they've retained him in some capacity but this is a bit of a mess-up on the ABA's behalf

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 05 Aug 2005, 10:56

Loftgroov wrote:They had better get it all right for London 2012. I would hope we'd have someone in each division, not just "an Amir Khan" or "an Audley Harrison"...carrying all our hopes.

They've 7 years. They had better sort it.

As the host nation they will be able to put in a boxer in every division if they so wish, they do not have to qualify...the point is how they perform whilst there.

Is that true about Hatton getting a consultancy job? on what merit, because he is now a legit world champion?? obviously if this is true then the ABA have big big problems.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 05 Aug 2005, 12:05

tonyevs wrote:Is that true about Hatton getting a consultancy job? on what merit, because he is now a legit world champion?? obviously if this is true then the ABA have big big problems.

If it's true I agree with your general point.

However I could understand the ABA using Hatton in some kind of promotional role as he is possibly the most well knowm active British World Champion.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 05 Aug 2005, 13:57

tonyevs wrote:
Loftgroov wrote:They had better get it all right for London 2012. I would hope we'd have someone in each division, not just "an Amir Khan" or "an Audley Harrison"...carrying all our hopes.

They've 7 years. They had better sort it.
As the host nation they will be able to put in a boxer in every division if they so wish, they do not have to qualify...the point is how they perform whilst there.

Is that true about Hatton getting a consultancy job? on what merit, because he is now a legit world champion?? obviously if this is true then the ABA have big big problems.

Joe has hit the nail on the head. After Khan (I can't believe I'm saying this) he's the most high profile boxer in Britain. Plus, he's a former ABA champ.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 05 Aug 2005, 21:09

tonyevs wrote:
Loftgroov wrote:They had better get it all right for London 2012. I would hope we'd have someone in each division, not just "an Amir Khan" or "an Audley Harrison"...carrying all our hopes.

They've 7 years. They had better sort it.
As the host nation they will be able to put in a boxer in every division if they so wish, they do not have to qualify...the point is how they perform whilst there.

I'm not sure. Greece still had to qualify, they just had more wild card entries allowed. I may be wrong.