Irish boxing’s most influential modern figure, Zaur Antia, has stepped down after more than 22 years at the heart of the national high-performance system — closing a chapter that delivered unprecedented Olympic success and reshaped the sport from the ground up.
Antia arrived in Ireland in 2003, a softly spoken Georgian coach with little English but a reputation for technical brilliance. Over the next two decades, he would become the quiet architect of Irish boxing’s greatest era, standing in the corner for icons from Katie Taylor to Kellie Harrington and guiding a generation of fighters to the podium on the world stage.
His retirement as Head of the High-Performance Unit, confirmed yesterday, marks the end of that era. Speaking as he announced his decision, Antia said he was leaving “with great memories,” adding that it was “not easy to leave boxers when you have such good relationships,” but that he felt the moment was right.
Olympics
Under Antia’s leadership, Ireland secured 10 Olympic boxing medals — more than half of the country’s total in the sport. He was a central figure in Taylor’s historic gold in London in 2012, a mentor to Harrington through her triumphs in Tokyo and Paris, and a constant presence behind Ireland’s European and World Championship successes.
But his impact went far deeper than podium finishes. When he took over as head coach in 2015, after the departure of Billy Walsh, Irish boxing stood at a crossroads. Antia redesigned the high-performance programme, implemented modern training systems, and forged a culture centred on unity, discipline, and belief.
His influence helped Irish women’s boxing move from a breakthrough story to a global force, a shift that has transformed participation and expectations nationwide.
Personal Commitment
For all his competitive achievements, Antia’s story has always been one of personal commitment. Those around him often spoke of his obsessive attention to detail, his long hours on the gym floor, and the quiet emotional bond he built with athletes over years of shared battles.
“Already I miss my coaches and my boxers,” he admitted. “Every day I miss them.”
His departure is driven partly by family, partly by a sense of timing. “You always have to know when to stop,” he said — a reminder that even the most committed high-performance careers have their natural end.
Succession
Antia leaves a strong structure behind him. He has expressed confidence in High Performance Director Jon Mackey and Ulster Head Coach, Damian Kennedy, highlighting the quality of the coaching team that will remain in place.
While he steps away from daily coaching, Antia is not disappearing. From January, he will work with the Irish Athletic Boxing Association in a consultancy role and has hinted at writing a book or sharing his experiences through presentations, a chance to distil two decades of elite coaching into lessons for sport beyond boxing.
Antia’s tenure was not without difficulty. The disappointing Rio 2016 campaign tested the system, and he has repeatedly spoken about the need for greater investment in youth development to ensure Ireland does not “lose boxers” in cities where opportunities can be fragile.
But as he walks away, the overwhelming sense is one of gratitude — from athletes, from the sport, and from Antia himself.
“It is good to know when you leave a good legacy,” he reflected. “That is what life is about — what people say after you leave.”
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