JOHN JOE NEVIN has revealed his dream to defend a world title in front of 80,000 boxing fans in Croke Park.
That’s why he is following in the footsteps of his childhood hero — Rocky Balboa.
Nevin, 24, was in Dublin today to announce details of a new professional management deal with Greenblood Boxing.
The move will see Nevin relocate to Philadelphia, home of the iconic Rocky movies, to join a small training team that already includes Irish fighters Anthony Cacace, Tyrone McKenna and Ray Ginley.
Greenblood, managed by Tom Moran, are currently in preliminary discussions with potential promoters about a deal that will allow Nevin to build up a profile in America’s Irish markets as well as return home for regular fights in Ireland.
The dream, Nevin said, is to add a pro world title to his glittering amateur haul which includes an Olympic silver medal, two World Championship bronze medals and European and EU titles.
Then he wants to defend the belt against his Olympic conquerer Luke Campbell and follow Muhammad Ali’s lead by fighting in front of a packed Croke Park.
“It’s the next step for me. I’ve done everything in the amateur business, all I wanted to do.
I suppose if I could change the colour of the Olympic medal, I’d change it but that’s done. I have the silver, I have to settle with it.
He added: “If I get to be a world champion, there would be nothing better than to bring the golden boy of England Luke Campbell back here and show him what I can do over 12 rounds.
“I think there was only one fight ever in Croke Park and Muhammad Ali was involved in it so I want to be the second to do it.
“It would mean the world to me because what I did in the amateur business, winning all the medals, it was special but the goal in the amateur business was to win the amateur medal. Then I got greedy and went for the full package.
To win a world title has been a dream of mine since I was watching the Rocky movies at seven-years-old. Looking up to Rocky Balboa, a movie, it was a bit childish but I wanted to be a world champion watching the Rocky movies.It’s come on since then and seeing Bernard Dunne win a world title in Dublin makes me want it even more.
