Nicolas Cruz, Ireland's adopted boxing coach from Cuba, was clearly under pressure to have his selection as part of the IABA's plans for the world junior championships in Budapest in November approved by Saturdays meeting of the Central Council (IABA).
Cruz is at present in Sydney preparing Ireland's lone boxing representative, Michael Roche of Sunnyside Cork, for his opening fight tomorrow. At least one delegate, Jim Murrin of Leinster, expressed disappointment with the progress in the ring made under Cruz and proposed Jim Smyth of Louth to take control of the team for the prestigious under-18 world tests.
Murrin withdrew his proposal when Registrar Tommy Murphy asked him to "just wait and see how it goes in Budapest."
Ireland's team to box America in two internationals in Connecticut and Denver Colerado next month is in disarray with many of the original side, including Michael Roche, not available. A replacement has been found for Saints Belfast's light-fly Harry Cunningham in J P Kinsella of Ballybrack but Bernard Dunne is injured as is National flyweight champion Liam Cunningham and light-weight champion Aidan Patterson of Newry is doubtful.
