McCullough keen to lend Nevin hand at pro game

Wayne McCullough wants to be the man to help John Joe Nevin make the transition from the amateur game to the pro ranks and believes he can make the Mullingar man a world champion.

Nevin, the 24-year-old Olympic silver medallist, said he is travelling to America this week to sign a pro contract with promoters Golden Boy, who look after the likes of Amir Khan and Saul Alvarez and is fronted by boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya. The reigning European champion and two-time world bronze medallist caused a stir when he withdrew from this month’s World Amateur Championships in Kazakhstan to ensure his move to the paid ranks finally came off.

Nevin initially agreed to turn professional after the Olympics with Khan’s promotional company but the deal fell through and the Westmeath boxer decided to stay amateur.