Sport

Olympic silver medalist Nevin to turn professional next week

Mullingar fighter excited with move to paid ranks after glittering amateur career

John Joe Nevin won silver at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
John Joe Nevin won silver at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Fri Oct 18 2013 - 15:15

Olympic silver medalist John Joe Nevin will announce his decision to turn professional next Tuesday at a press conference in Dublin.

The 24-year-old bantamweight from Mullingar ended speculation over his move to the paid ranks almost a year after turning down a deal to turn pro with former British world champion Amir Khan.

Nevin went on to win a gold medal for Ireland at the European Championships in Minsk and is the only Irish male boxer in the 102-year history of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association to medal at all major championships.

He withdrew from selection for the ongoing World Championships in Kazakhstan and outlined his plans for his change to the professional ranks.

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“I’m excited to be going on a new journey in the pro ranks. I became world number one as an amateur and now my goal is to become number one in the professional,” said Nevin. “I’m ready to give everything I have to become a world champion and bring the title belt back to Ireland.”

Nevin will link up with the Philadelphia-based GreenBlood Boxing team and Berkeley Sports & Media, who will host next Tuesday’s announcement at the Westbury Hotel in the capital.