Bernard Dunne takes up role with Boxing Federation of India

Irish Olympic medalist Bernard Dunne has been named as the new High Performance Direction with the Boxing Federation of India, six month after resigning from a similar role with the IABA.

Dunne stepped down from the IABA in an acrimonious resignation after he lodged a complaint against two volunteers back in October 2021 when an unsigned analysis document critical of his performance was circulated at board level prior to the Tokyo Games.

Ireland's boxers went on to deliver a gold (Kellie Harrington) and a bronze (Aidan Walsh) in Tokyo.

Harrington in particular has been a major supporter of Dunne and his work and in reacting to his new appointment said that "Ireland’s loss is India’s gain."

"To say I am disappointed that we have lost him and we could not do our best to keep him is an understatement," she wrote on Twitter.

"Such a pity. But all the best to Bernard on this new journey."

The news will come as a further blow for the IABA who have seen their funding cut since August when they voted overwhelmingly to reject proposed governance reforms at their EGM.

An independent review of the in the wake of Dunne’s resignation recommended major restructuring of the IABA board.

Dunne took up the role with the IABA and oversaw a difficult transitional period in Irish amateur boxing, with stalwarts Katie Taylor, Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes having turned professional after failing to win medals at the Rio Olympics the year before.