Nevin eyes world title after joining Khan stable

Ireland’s Olympic silver medallist John Joe Nevin has told of his dream of becoming a world champion after signing up to go professional with Amir Khan’s new stable of fighters.

The 23-year-old bantamweight boxer, who bagged a silver medal in London, said he has now set his sights on going to the top of the professional game with the English former world champ. But the Mullingar fighter, who spent weeks agonising over his decision, said on RTÉ’s Saturday Night Show he is determined to train in Ireland as he is such a home bird.

“My dream when I started off was to win an Olympic medal and to be world champion at professional.

I know I will have to go away sometimes but I will have plenty of support around me. I need people around me and the lads I am working with know that.”

The Mullingar man, who is very close to his extended family, told how his special gesture to the sky at the end of each fight was directed at his cousin David Nevin, who died of a heart attack last year.

He said: “A cousin of mine, David Nevin, died in February. He was 25 years old and he had a heart attack. He was meant to go to the Olympics with my father. That little salute to the crowd was for him. He said to me I would go on and win a medal and I knew he was with me.

“It’s an amazing feeling stepping in the ring and representing your country. I don’t think there is anything better than getting in the ring at Olympics.

“He was still there with me in London in spirit. I go down to the grave and spend an hour out there.

He revealed he chose to sign up with Amir Khan’s new Super Fight Promotions stable because the former world champion has firsthand knowledge of the professional ropes.

He said: “Amir being a boxer, he knows what to expect.”