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Fight Club

John Joe still in talks with amateur boxing bosses

Olympic silver medallist John Joe Nevin is considering all options, despite announcing his decision to turn professional with Amir Khan’s stable.

OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALLIST John Joe Nevin has revealed that he is still in talks with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association — despite announcing his decision to turn professional next year.

Nevin, 23, earned a professional deal from Amir Khan’s fledgling Super Fight Promotions stable when he shuffled his way to bantamweight silver at London 2012.

The Mullingar native previously indicated that he expects his first pro bout to come in Manchester’s MEN Arena in January, but speaking today, he said that he hasn’t formally signed off on any contract yet.

“There’s other offers coming in and things, from the Irish Amateur Boxing Association as well,” Nevin told the Ray D’Arcy Show on Today FM.

I announced my decision but as it stands I’ve nothing signed, you know. As it stands so far, I’m still in talks with them.

If he so wishes, there is a possibility that Nevin could dip his toe into the pro ranks before reverting to amateur status in time to challenge for Olympic gold in Rio in 2016. The Irish Independent reports that AIBA rules allow certain boxers to remain eligible for amateur bouts if they have fought less than 15 times as a pro and have turned pro in the last two years.

If he does follow through on his decision to join Khan’s stable, Nevin looks set to use the Dropkick Murphy’s hit “I’m Shipping up to Boston” as the ring-walk music for his first fight. Nevin chose the song from five suggestions submitted by Today FM listeners.

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